Recombinant elastase proteins and methods of manufacturing and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods for the manufacture, purification, formulation, and use of biologically active recombinant elastase proteins. Described are recombinant methods for producing therapeutically useful elastase proteins, as are pharmaceutical compositions comprising said elastase proteins. Novel recombinant elastase proteins and protein preparations are also disclosed. Methods are described for treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits using pharmaceutical compositions containing the elastase proteins of the invention.

This application claims the priority of U.S. provisional application No. 60/992,319, filed Dec. 4, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to recombinant methods of manufacturing and formulating elastase proteins for use in treating and preventing diseases of biological conduits. The present invention further relates to novel recombinant elastase proteins and pharmaceutical compositions containing such proteins. Yet further, the present invention relates to the use of pharmaceutical compositions comprising recombinant elastase proteins for the treatment and prevention of diseases of biological conduits.

2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Elastin is a protein capable of spontaneously recoiling after being stretched. Cross-linked elastin is the major structural component of elastic fibers, which confers tissue elasticity. A proteinase may be named an elastase if it possesses the ability to solubilize mature, cross-linked elastin (Bieth, J G “Elastases: catalytic and biological properties,” at pp. 217-320 (Mecham Edition, Regulation of Matrix Accumulation, New York, Academic Press, 1986). Several published patent applications (WO 2001/21574; WO 2004/073504; and WO 2006/036804) indicate that elastase, alone and in combination with other agents, is beneficial in the treatment of diseases of biological conduits, including biological conduits which are experiencing, or susceptible to experiencing, obstruction and vasospasm. For elastase therapy of human subjects, the use of a human elastase is desirable to reduce the risk of immune reaction to a non-human elastase.

To this date, however, there is no known commercially viable means of producing biologically active elastase in sufficiently pure form and in sufficient quantities for clinical applications. Because elastases are powerful proteases that can hydrolyze numerous proteins other than elastin, the proteolytic activity of elastase poses potential obstacles for its recombinant production. For example, the activity of mature elastase can damage the host cell which is expressing it, degrade itself, or degrade agents used to assist in the production or characterization of the elastase.

Elastases are often expressed as preproproteins, containing a signal peptide, an activation peptide, and a mature, active portion. Cleavage of the signal sequence upon secretion yields a proprotein that can have little or no enzymatic activity, and whose amino acid sequence contains the amino acid sequence of an activation peptide and a mature protein. Generally, for recombinant expression, an inactive precursor may be expressed instead of the mature active enzyme to circumvent damage to the cell that expresses it. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,068 describes the cloning of human pancreatic elastase cDNAs (referred to therein as elastase “IIA,” “IIB,” “IIIA” and “IIIB”). The various elastases were expressed as full-length cDNAs, including the native signal sequences, in mammalian COS-1 cells. In addition, engineered versions of the elastases, containing a B. subtilis signal sequence and a β-galactosidase signal sequence, were also expressed in B. subtilis and E. coli, respectively. U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,068 also suggests expressing elastases in S. cerevisiae. Generally, working examples of elastase expression in U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,068 show low activity of the recovered elastase or require an activation step involving treatment with trypsin, to generate the active elastase. In addition, the elastases were largely present in inclusion bodies when expressed in E. coli, and only small portions of the expressed elastase were soluble and active. None of the elastase preparations described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,068 was purified to pharmaceutical grade.

Thus, there is a need in the art for recombinant manufacturing methods that allow the generation of therapeutic amounts of biologically active pharmaceutical grade elastases, and preferably avoid a trypsin activation step that is costly for large-scale preparation and can result in trypsin contamination of the final product. Administration of an elastase containing trypsin to a patient could result in activation of the protease-activated receptors 1 and 2, which may reduce some of the beneficial effects of elastase treatment.

Citation or identification of any reference in Section 2 or in any other section of this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides novel, efficient methods of making recombinant elastase proteins and the use of the recombinant proteins in compositions, e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, elastase formulations or unit dosages, for the treatment and prevention of diseases of biological conduits.

The present invention is directed to auto-activated proelastase proteins, nucleic acids encoding auto-activated proelastase proteins, host cells comprising said nucleic acids, methods of making auto-activated proelastase proteins and the use of auto-activated proelastase proteins in the manufacture of mature, biologically active elastase proteins, for example for use in pharmaceutical formulations. The term “auto-activated” (or “autoactivated”) is used herein interchangeably with the terms “auto-activating,” “self-activating,” and “self-activated” and is not intended to imply that an activation step has taken place. The term “activation” is used herein interchangeably with the term “conversion” and is not intended to imply that a protein resulting from “activation” necessarily possesses enzymatic activity.

As used hereinbelow, and unless indicated otherwise, the term “elastase” generally refers to mature elastase proteins with elastase activity as well as immature elastase proteins, including immature proelastase proteins (also referred to herein as elastase proproteins) and immature preproelastase proteins (also referred to herein as elastase preproproteins).

Preferred elastases of the invention are type I pancreatic elastases, e.g., human type I pancreatic elastase and porcine type I pancreatic elastase. Type I pancreatic elastases are sometimes referred to herein as “elastase-1,” “elastase 1,” “elastase type 1,” “type 1 elastase” or “ELA-1.” Human type I pancreatic elastase is also referred to herein as hELA-1 or human ELA-1, and porcine type I pancreatic elastase is also referred to herein as pELA-1 or porcine ELA-1.

A mature elastase protein of the invention typically has an amino acid sequence encoded by a naturally occurring elastase gene or a variant of such sequence. Preferred sequence variants, including variants containing amino acid substitutions, are described herein. A proelastase protein is a largely inactive precursor of a mature elastase protein, and a preproelastase protein further contains a signal sequence for protein secretion. Pre and pro sequences of the elastase proteins of the invention are typically not native to the elastase genes encoding the mature elastase proteins of the invention. Thus, in a sense, the immature elastase proteins of the invention are “chimeric” proteins, with their mature portions encoded by a naturally-occurring elastase gene and their immature portions encoded by non-elastase gene sequences.

For ease of reference, the elastase proteins of the invention and their core sequence components are depicted in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the amino acid residues within the proelastase sequence that are N-terminal to the cleavage bond (i.e., the bond that is cleaved to yield mature elastase protein) are designated herein as PX, . . . P5, P4, P3, P2, and P1, where P1 is immediately N-terminal to the cleavage bond, whereas amino acids residues located to the C-terminus to the cleavage bond (and to the N-terminus) of the mature elastase protein are designated P1′, P2′, P3′, . . . PX′, where P1′ is immediately C-terminal to the cleavage bond and represents the N-terminal amino acid residue of the mature protein. FIG. 2 also shows the following components:

(1) SIGNAL SEQUENCE: A sequence that increases the proportion of expressed molecules that are secreted from the cell. An exemplary sequence is amino acids 1-22 of SEQ ID NOS:50 or 51.

(2) PROPEPTIDE+SPACER: An optional, preferably a non-elastase, propeptide sequence (such as yeast α-factor propropeptide) that can further optionally include one or more spacer sequences (a yeast α-factor propeptide sequences and Kex2 and STE13 spacer sequences are depicted in FIG. 1B). In a specific embodiment, the propeptide sequence does not include a spacer.

(3) ELASTASE PROPEPTIDE: Peptide that, when present on the N-terminal end of an elastase, renders the molecule inactive or less active as compared to the corresponding mature elastase protein. The elastase propeptide may be contiguous with the activation peptide or may contain additional amino acids relative to the activation peptide. Exemplary elastase propeptide sequences are amino acids 1-10 of SEQ ID NOS:64 and 69.

(4) ACTIVATION PEPTIDE: Used interchangeably herein with “activation sequence,” an activation peptide is a component of, and can be contiguous with, the elastase propeptide. As shown in FIG. 2, the activation peptide contains amino acid residues P10 through P1. An exemplary activation peptide consensus sequence is SEQ ID NO:80; other examples of activation peptide sequences are are SEQ ID NOS: 23, 72 and 73.

(5) RECOGNITION SEQUENCE: A recognition sequence is a component of the elastase propeptide. As shown in FIG. 2, the recognition sequence contains amino acid residues P3 through P1. Exemplary recognition sequence consensus sequences are SEQ ID NOS:11-13 and 93, and an exemplary recognition sequence is SEQ ID NO:20.

(6) CLEAVAGE DOMAIN: A region in the proelastase protein that spans the cleavage bond. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleavage domain contains amino acid residues P5 through P3′. Exemplary cleavage domain sequences are SEQ ID NOS:42, 43, 48, 49, 53, 53, 54 and 55.

(7) CLEAVAGE SITE: Another region in the proelastase protein that also spans the cleavage bond. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleavage site contains amino acid residues P4 through P4′. An exemplary cleavage site sequence is SEQ ID NO:27.

(8) PREPROELASTASE PROTEIN: A protein that can comprise all of the component parts. An exemplary preproelastase protein can comprise a peptides of SEQ ID NO:50, 51, 96, or 97 followed by an operably linked protein of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69.

(9) PROELASTASE PROTEIN: A protein that comprises mature elastase protein, an elastase propeptide, and the optional propeptide and spacer sequences. Exemplary proelastase sequences are SEQ ID NOS:64 and 69.

(10) MATURE ELASTASE PROTEIN: A protein that when properly processed displays elastase activity. Exemplary mature sequences are SEQ ID NO:1 (human) and SEQ ID NO:39 (porcine).

The elastase protein components can be considered modular building blocks of the elastase proteins, proelastase proteins and preproelastase proteins. For example, the present invention provides a proelastase protein comprising the sequence of an elastase propeptide and a mature elastase protein. The elastase propeptide can contain an activation peptide. The elastase propeptide can also contain an elastase recognition sequence. The present invention also provides a proelastase protein comprising a cleavage domain or cleavage site in the region spanning the junction between the elastase propeptide and the mature elastase protein. The proelastase proteins may further comprise a signal sequence for secretion. Such proteins are considered preproelastase proteins. The preproelastase proteins may further comprise a yeast alpha factor propeptide and optionally a spacer sequence between the signal sequence and the elastase propeptide. The elastase proteins of the invention may also contain components in addition to the core modular components illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, an elastase protein can contain an epitope tag or a histidine tag for purification. It should also be noted that the elastase proteins of the invention need not contain all the components depicted in FIG. 2, but generally contain at least one of the components (including, by way of example but not limitation, a mature elastase or a proelastase sequence) depicted in FIG. 2. Exemplary elastase proteins of the invention are set forth in embodiments 1-12, 28-39 and 68-69 in Section 8 below, including exemplary type I proelastase proteins set forth in embodiments 13-27 in Section 8 below.

Nucleic acids encoding the elastase proteins of the invention, methods for producing and purifying the proteins, recombinant cells and cell culture supernatants, compositions comprising elastase proteins (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, unit dosages, formulations), the use of the proteins for therapeutic purposes and kits comprising the proteins, formulations, pharmaceutical compositions and unit doses are encompassed herein. Nucleic acids encoding the elastase proteins of the invention are exemplified in embodiments 40-67 in Section 8 below, including vectors (see, e.g., embodiments 70-72). Also exemplified in Section 8 are recombinant cells (see, e.g., embodiments 73-84), cell supernatants containing elastase proteins (see, e.g., embodiment 88). Methods for producing elastase proteins are exemplified in embodiments 89-224, 261-276 and 347-373 in Section 8. Methods for producing elastase formulations are exemplified in embodiments 225-260 in Section 8. Methods of producing pharmaceutical compositions are exemplified in embodiments 374-385 in Section 8. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising elastase proteins are exemplified in embodiments 277-313 and 386 in Section 8, and unit dosages are exemplified in embodiments 415-420 in Section 8. Formulations of elastase proteins are exemplified in embodiments 324-346 in Section 8. The use of the elastase proteins for therapeutic purposes is exemplified in embodiments 387-414 in Section 8. Kits comprising the proteins are exemplified in Section 8 by way of embodiments 421-424.

Various aspects of the invention with respect to proelastase proteins with SEQ ID NOS:64 and 69 are exemplified as Specific Embodiments in Section 8 below; however, such embodiments are applicable to other elastase protein sequences disclosed herein.

The production methods described herein often include an activation step, whereby the activation peptide is removed from the proelastase sequence/separated from the mature elastase sequence, thereby generating a mature elastase protein. The activation steps described herein may be auto activation steps, i.e., carried out by an elastase activity, or non-auto activation step, i.e., non-elastase mediated, e.g., carried out by trypsin.

In certain aspects, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which encodes an elastase protein (including but not limited to a protein of any one of SEQ ID NOS: 6-9, 64-69, 88-91, or 98-103) comprising (i) an elastase propeptide comprising an activation peptide sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence operably linked to (ii) the amino acid sequence of a protein having elastase activity. The protein optionally further comprises a signal sequence, such as a yeast α-factor signal peptide and exemplified by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34, operably linked to said elastase propeptide. The α-factor is sometimes referred to herein as “alphα-factor” or “alpha mating factor” or “α-mating factor.” In certain specific embodiments, the protein comprises a non-elastase propeptide such as yeast α-factor propeptide. In certain specific embodiments, the protein can comprise one or more spacer sequences. Spacer sequences can include, but are not limited to, Kex2 and STE13 protease cleavage sites. In a specific embodiment, a Kex2 spacer can be used. In another embodiment, a Kex2 spacer can be operably linked to STE13 spacers as shown in FIG. 1B. A signal peptide sequence and a non-elastase propeptide sequence is exemplified by the amino acid sequences of SEQ IDS NO:51 or 97. A peptide containing a signal peptide sequence, a non-elastase propeptide sequence, and a spacer sequence is exemplified by the amino acid sequences of SEQ IDS NO:50 or 96.

In other specific embodiments, the signal sequence is a mammalian secretion signal sequence, such as a porcine or human type I elastase (used interchangeably with a type I pancreatic elastase) signal sequence.

Preferably, the elastase recognition sequence is a type I pancreatic elastase recognition sequence.

In specific embodiments, the protein having type I elastase activity is a mature human type I elastase, for example a protein of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 5, 84, or 87.

The present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which encodes a protein comprising (i) a signal sequence operable in Pichia pastoris operably linked to (ii) an activation sequence (including but not limited to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 23, 72, 73, or 80) comprising a protease recognition sequence (including but not limited to an amino acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOS:11-23 and 93 which in turn is operably linked to (iii) the amino acid sequence of a mature human type I elastase. In a preferred embodiment, the protease recognition sequence is a human type I elastase recognition sequence, most preferably an elastase recognition sequence of SEQ ID NO:20.

Proelastase proteins (optionally comprising a signal sequence and thus representing preproelastase proteins) and mature elastase proteins encoded by the nucleic acids of the invention are also provided, as are compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, formulations and unit dosages) comprising said mature elastase proteins.

In a preferred embodiment, the proelastase protein or mature elastase protein does not have an N-terminal methionine residue. In another embodiment, however, the proelastase protein or mature elastase protein does have an N-terminal methionine residue.

Table 1 below summarizes the sequence identifiers used in the present specification. Preferred proteins of the invention comprise or consist of any of SEQ ID NOS:1-32, 34, 37-73, 77, 78, 82-92, and 98-105 listed in Table 1 below, or are encoded in part or entirely by the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NO:33 and SEQ ID NO:81.

TABLE 1 Summary of amino acid and nucleotide SEQ ID NOS. NUCLEOTIDE OR AMINO MOLECULE ACID SEQ ID NO Mature human elastase I, including first “valine,” with Amino Acid 1 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I, minus first “valine,” with possible Amino Acid 2 polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I, minus first two “valines,” with Amino Acid 3 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I, with first “valine” substituted by Amino Acid 4 “alanine,” with possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I (isotype 2), including first “valine” Amino Acid 5 Engineered elastase proprotein no. 1 (pPROT42 variant), Amino Acid 6 with possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Engineered elastase proprotein no. 2, with possible Amino Acid 7 polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Engineered elastase proprotein no. 3, with possible Amino Acid 8 polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Engineered elastase proprotein no. 4, with possible Amino Acid 9 polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Engineered elastase proprotein no. 5 (pPROT24 trypsin Amino Acid 10 activated sequence), with possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Consensus elastase recognition sequence 1 (Positions Amino Acid 11 Xaa₁ = P3, Xaa₂ = P2, Xaa₃ = P1) Consensus elastase recognition sequence 2 (Positions P3- Amino Acid 12 P2-P1) Consensus elastase recognition sequence 3 (Positions P3- Amino Acid 13 P2-P1) Elastase recognition sequence 1 (Positions P3-P2-P1) Amino Acid 14 Elastase recognition sequence 2 (Positions P3-P2-P1) Amino Acid 15 Elastase recognition sequence 3 (Positions P3-P2-P1) Amino Acid 16 Wild-type trypsin recognition sequence (pPROT24) Amino Acid 17 (Positions P3-P2-P1) Elastase recognition sequence 5 (Positions P3-P2-P1) Amino Acid 18 Elastase recognition sequence 6 (Positions P3-P2-P1) Amino Acid 19 Elastase recognition sequence 7 (Positions P3-P2-P1 of Amino Acid 20 Variants 48 and 55) Elastase recognition sequence 8 Amino Acid 21 Human elastase activation sequence 1 Amino Acid 22 Human elastase activation sequence 2 Amino Acid 23 pro-PROT-201 cleavage site Amino Acid 24 pPROT40 cleavage site Amino Acid 25 pPROT41 cleavage site Amino Acid 26 pPROT42 cleavage site Amino Acid 27 pPROT43 cleavage site Amino Acid 28 pPROT44 cleavage site Amino Acid 29 pPROT45 cleavage site Amino Acid 30 pPROT46 cleavage site Amino Acid 31 pPROT47 cleavage site Amino Acid 32 Coding region of a human elastase-1 (i.e., human type I Nucleotide 33 pancreatic elastase) (NCBI Accession No. NM_001971) Yeast alpha factor signal peptide Amino Acid 34 20F primer Nucleotide 35 24R primer Nucleotide 36 pPROT42 P3 Cleavage Site Variant Elastase, with possible Amino Acid 37 polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) pPROT42 P2 Cleavage Site Variant Elastase, with possible Amino Acid 38 polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature porcine pancreatic Elastase I (from GenBank Amino Acid 39 Accession P00772.1) Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 40 Amino Acid 40 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 41 Amino Acid 41 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 42 Amino Acid 42 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 43 Amino Acid 43 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 44 Amino Acid 44 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 45 Amino Acid 45 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 46 Amino Acid 46 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 47 Amino Acid 47 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 48 Amino Acid 48 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 49 Amino Acid 49 Yeast alpha-mating factor signal peptide, propeptide, and Amino Acid 50 spacer sequence 1 Yeast alpha-mating factor signal peptide and propeptide Amino Acid 51 sequence 2 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 52 Amino Acid 52 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 53 Amino Acid 53 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 54 Amino Acid 54 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 55 Amino Acid 55 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 56 Amino Acid 56 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 57 Amino Acid 57 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 58 Amino Acid 58 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 59 Amino Acid 59 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 60 Amino Acid 60 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 61 Amino Acid 61 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 62 Amino Acid 62 Elastase Variant Propeptide Cleavage Domain 63 Amino Acid 63 Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 48, with Amino Acid 64 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 49, with Amino Acid 65 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 52, with Amino Acid 66 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 53, with Amino Acid 67 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 54, with Amino Acid 68 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 55, with Amino Acid 69 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Wild Type Elastase + AlaArg Cleavage Variant, with Amino Acid 70 possible polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Wild Type Elastase + Arg Cleavage Variant, with possible Amino Acid 71 polymorphism at position 220 (V or L) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Variant 48 Human Elastase Activation peptide Amino Acid 72 Variant 55 Human Elastase Activation peptide Amino Acid 73 Human Elastase Cleavage Domain Consensus Sequence; Amino Acid 74 corresponds to residues P5, P4, P3, P2, P1, P′1, P′2, and P′3 of an elastase cleavage domain PCR Mutagenesis Primer for pPROT3 construction Nucleic Acid 75 PCR Mutagenesis Primer or pPROT3 construction Nucleic Acid 76 Mature ELA1 C-terminal Variant of Talas et al., 2000, Amino Acid 77 Invest Dermatol. 114(1): 165-70. Mature ELA-1 variants, with possible polymorphisms at Amino Acid 78 positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Activation peptide variants (wild type, trypsin cleavable), Amino Acid 79 with possible polymorphisms at position 10 (Q or H) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Activation peptide “consensus” sequence Amino Acid 80 Coding region of ELA-1.2A Amino Acid 81 Translation Product of ELA-1.2A Amino Acid 82 (Trypsin activated pPROT24 sequence) Translation Product of ELA-1.2A Amino Acid 83 (trypsin activated pPROT24 sequence), with possible polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I, including first “valine,” with Amino Acid 84 possible polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) mature human elastase I, minus first “valine,” with possible Amino Acid 85 polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I, minus first two “valines,” with Amino Acid 86 possible polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) mature human elastase I, with first “valine” substituted by Amino Acid 87 “alanine,” with possible polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Engineered elastase proprotein no. 1 (pPROT42 variant), Amino Acid 88 with possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Engineered elastase proprotein no. 2, with possible Amino Acid 89 polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Engineered elastase proprotein no. 3, with possible Amino Acid 90 polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) engineered elastase proprotein no. 4, with possible Amino Acid 91 polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) engineered elastase proprotein no. 5 (pPROT24 trypsin Amino Acid 92 activated sequence), with possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Consensus elastase recognition sequence 4 (Positions P3- Amino Acid 93 P2-P1) pPROT42 P3 Cleavage Site Variant Elastase, with possible Amino Acid 94 polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) pPROT42 P2 Cleavage Site Variant Elastase, with possible Amino Acid 95 polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Yeast alpha-mating factor signal peptide, propeptide, and Amino Acid 96 spacer sequence 1 Yeast alpha-mating factor signal peptide and propeptide Amino Acid 97 sequence 2 Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 48 Amino Acid 98 Generic to SEQ ID NO: 64, with possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 49, with Amino Acid 99 possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 52, with Amino Acid 100 possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 53, with Amino Acid 101 possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 54, with Amino Acid 102 possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Elastase Proenzyme with variant Cleavage Domain 55, with Amino Acid 103 possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Wild Type Elastase + AlaArg Cleavage Variant, with Amino Acid 104 possible polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Wild Type Elastase + Arg Cleavage Variant, with possible Amino Acid 105 polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I cleavage variant lacking first four Amino Acid 106 amino acids, with possible polymorphisms at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I cleavage variant lacking first six Amino Acid 107 amino acids, with possible polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Mature human elastase I cleavage variant lacking first nine Amino Acid 108 amino acids, with possible polymorphisms at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (numbering refers to position in context of preproprotein) Nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 1A Nucleic Acid 109 Amino acid sequence of FIG. 1A Amino Acid 110 Nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 1B Nucleic Acid 111 Amino acid sequence of FIG. 1B Amino Acid 112 Nucleic acid sequence of FIG. 13 Nucleic Acid 113 Amino acid sequence of FIG. 14 Amino Acid 114 Cleavage domain sequence of trypsin-activated pPROT101- Amino Acid 115 24-V Cleavage domain sequence of auto-activated Amino Acid 116 pPROT101-42-V Cleavage domain sequence of auto-activated Amino Acid 117 pPROT101-49-V Cleavage domain sequence of auto-activated Amino Acid 118 pPROT101-55L-V

There are at least 5 confirmed polymorphisms in human type I elastase protein, at positions 10 (Q or H); 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R). The full-length (preproelastase) protein is 258 amino acids in length. The first 8 amino acids correspond to the signal or “pre” peptide sequence that is cleaved off to generate an inactive proprotein, and a further “pro” peptide sequence (comprising or consisting of 10 amino acids corresponding to an activation peptide) are cleaved to generate the active, mature protein. Thus, the polymorphism at position 10 is present in the proprotein but not in the mature protein.

Accordingly, in Table 2 below are presented all possible combinations of the 5 polymorphisms of human type I elastase. The present invention provides preproelastase and proelastase proteins (including but not limited to the variant preproelastase and proelastase proteins described herein), such as the proteins exemplified in embodiments 1-39 and 68-69 or the proteins obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 89-224, 261-276, and 347-373 in Section 8, comprising the any of the combinations of polymorphisms set forth in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Variants of human type I immature elastase (pre-pro) and pro elastase proteins. Position 10 44 59 220 243 Embodiment Q or H W or R M or V V or L Q or R 1. Q W M V Q 2. Q W M V R 3. Q W M L Q 4. Q W V V Q 5. Q R M V Q 6. Q W M L R 7. Q W V L Q 8. Q R V V Q 9. Q W V V R 10. Q R M L Q 11. Q R M V R 12. Q R V L Q 13. Q R V V R 14. Q R M L R 15. Q W V L R 16. Q R V L R 17. H W M V Q 18. H W M V R 19. H W M L Q 20. H W V V Q 21. H R M V Q 22. H W M L R 23. H W V L Q 24. H R V V Q 25. H W V V R 26. H R M L Q 27. H R M V R 28. H R V L Q 29. H R V V R 30. H R M L R 31. H W V L R 32. H R V L R The position numbering refers to the position in the context of the preproprotein of native human type I elastase.

Moreover, in Table 3 below are presented all possible combinations of the 4 polymorphisms of human type I elastase that may be present in a mature elastase protein. The present invention provides mature elastase proteins (including but not limited to the variant mature elastase proteins described herein), such as the mature elastase proteins obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 89-224, 261-276, and 347-373 in Section 8, comprising the any of the combinations of polymorphisms set forth in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Variants of mature human type I elastase proteins. The position numbering refers to the position in the context of the preproprotein of native human type I elastase. Position 44 59 220 243 Embodiment W or R M or V V or L Q or R 1. W M V Q 2. W M V R 3. W M L Q 4. W V V Q 5. R M V Q 6. W M L R 7. W V L Q 8. R V V Q 9. W V V R 10. R M L Q 11. R M V R 12. R V L Q 13. R V V R 14. R M L R 15. W V L R 16. R V L R

The mature type I elastases of the invention can be purified, for example for use in pharmaceutical compositions. In specific embodiments, the elastases are at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98% or 99% pure.

The mature type I elastases of the invention preferably have a specific activity of greater than 1, greater than 5, greater than 10, greater than 20, greater than 25, or greater than 30 U/mg of protein, as determined by measuring the rate of hydrolysis of the small peptide substrate N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Ala-pNitroanilide (SLAP), which is catalyzed by the addition of elastase. One unit of activity is defined as the amount of elastase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1 micromole of substrate per minute at 30° C. and specific activity is defined as activity per mg of elastase protein (U/mg). Preferably, a mature human type I elastase has a specific activity within a range in which the lower limit is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 U/mg protein and in which the upper limit is, independently, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 50 U/mg protein. In exemplary embodiments, the specific activity is in the range of from 1 to 40 U/mg of protein, from 1 to 5 U/mg of protein, from 2 to 10 U/mg of protein, from 4 to 15 U/mg of protein, from 5 to 30 U/mg of protein, from 10 to 20 U/mg of protein, from 20 to 40 U/mg of protein, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values. A mature porcine type I elastase preferably has a specific activity within a range in which the lower limit is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, or 75 U/mg protein and in which the upper limit is, independently, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 75, 90, 95 or 100 U/mg protein. In exemplary embodiments, the specific activity of the porcine elastase is in the range of from 10 to 50 U/mg of protein, from 20 to 60 U/mg of protein, from 30 to 75 U/mg of protein, from 30 to 40 U/mg of protein, from 20 to 35 U/mg of protein, from 50 to 95 U/mg of protein, from 25 to 100 U/mg of protein, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values.

Accordingly, certain aspects of the present invention relate to compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, elastase formulations and unit dosages, such as those exemplified in embodiments 277-314, 346, 386, and 415-420 or those obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 261-276 and 374-385 in Section 8 below.

In certain embodiments, the compositions of the invention comprise trypsin-activated elastase proteins, e.g., trypsin activated proteins made by any of the methods disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise autoactivated elastase proteins, e.g., autoactivated elastase proteins made by any of the methods disclosed herein. In certain aspects, a composition of the invention is characterized by at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or at least seven of the following properties: (a) the composition is free of trypsin; (b) the composition is substantially free of trypsin; (c) the composition is free of any protein consisting of SEQ ID NOS:70 and 71; (d) the composition is substantially free of any protein consisting of SEQ ID NOS:2 and 3; (e) the composition is free of bacterial proteins; (f) the composition is substantially free of bacterial proteins; (g) the composition is free of mammalian proteins other than said mature elastase protein; (h) the composition is substantially free of mammalian proteins other than said mature elastase protein; (i) the composition is free or substantially free of one, two, three or all four proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:85, 86, 94 and 95; (j) the composition is free or substantially free of one, two, or all three proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:106, 107 and 108; (k) the composition contains pharmaceutically acceptable levels of endotoxins (e.g., 10 EU/mg elastase or less, or 5 EU/mg elastase or less); (l) the mature elastase protein in the composition is characterized by a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg of protein or any other range of specific activity disclosed herein; (m) the trypsin activity in said composition corresponds to less than 4 ng per 1 mg of mature elastase protein or any other range of trypsin activity disclosed herein; (n) the composition comprises polysorbate-80; (o) the composition comprises dextran; (p) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions and polysorbate-80; (q) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions and dextran; (r) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions, polysorbate-80, and dextran; (s) the mature elastase protein in said composition displays an amount of stability disclosed herein, e.g., maintains 60% to 100% of its specific activity after at least a week of storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C., after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six months of storage at 4° C.; and (t) the composition comprises a unit dosage of 0.0033 mg to 200 mg of said mature elastase protein, or any other unit dosage of mature elastase protein disclosed herein.

In certain aspects, the composition is characterized by at least three characteristics, at least four characteristics or five characteristics independently selected from the following groups (i) through (v):

-   -   (i) (a), (b) or (m)     -   (ii) (e) or (f)     -   (iii) (g) or (h)     -   (iv) (k)     -   (v) (l)

In specific embodiments, two of said at least three or at least said four characteristics are selected from groups (i) and (iv) or (v). In other embodiments, three of at least said four characteristics are selected from groups (i), (iv) and (v).

In specific embodiments, the present invention provides a composition, including but not limited to a pharmaceutical composition, elastase formulation or unit dosage, comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of human type I elastase that is free of trypsin and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Alternatively, the present invention provides a composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of human type I elastase that is substantially free of trypsin and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In specific embodiments, the human type I elastase and/or the composition comprises less than 5 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 4 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 3 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 2 ng/ml of trypsin activity, or less than 1.56 ng/ml of trypsin activity. In the foregoing examples, the ng/ml trypsin activity can be assayed in a liquid human type I elastase composition or preparation containing 1 mg/ml human type I elastase protein. Thus, the trypsin activities may also be described in terms of milligrams of elastase protein, for example, less than 3 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein, less than 1.56 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein, etc. The present invention further provides a composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of human type I elastase and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the composition comprises less than 5 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 4 ng trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 3 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 2 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, or less than 1.56 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase.

The present invention further provides methods of improving the quality of mature elastase proteins produced by trypsin activation methods (e.g., the methods of embodiment 145 in Section 8 below), comprising purifying the mature elastase protein on a Macro-Prep High S Resin column. It was found by the present inventors that mature elastase proteins purified on a Macro-Prep High S Resin column yields elastase compositions with trypsin activity levels corresponding 20-25 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein, as compared to purification on a Poros (Poly (Styrene-Divinylbenzene)) column which yields elastase compositions with trypsin activity levels corresponding to approximately 1000 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein. The present invention further provides elastase compositions comprising mature elastase proteins produced by purifying trypsin-activated elastase proteins on a Macro-Prep High S Resin column. The Macro-Prep High S Resin is available from Biorad (Hercules, Calif.), according to whom a column of rigid methacrylate supports with little shrinkage and swelling. Other similar cation exchange columns of the same class and/or with the same bead size (around 50 μm) may be used, such as other methacrylate columns, may suitably be used.

Other aspects of the present invention relate to compositions, including but not limited to pharmaceutical compositions, elastase formulations or unit dosages, comprising porcine type I pancreatic elastase. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of porcine type I pancreatic elastase that is free of trypsin and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Alternatively, the present invention provides a composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of porcine type I pancreatic elastase that is substantially free of trypsin and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In specific embodiments, the porcine type I pancreatic elastase and/or the composition comprises less than 100 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 75 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 50 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 25 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 15 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 10 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 5 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 4 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 3 ng/ml of trypsin activity, less than 2 ng/ml of trypsin activity, or less than 1.56 ng/ml of trypsin activity. In the foregoing examples, the ng/ml trypsin activity can be assayed in a liquid porcine type I pancreatic elastase composition or preparation containing 1 mg/ml porcine type I pancreatic elastase. Thus, the trypsin activities may also be described in terms of milligrams of elastase protein, for example, less than 25 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein, less than 5 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein, etc. The present invention further provides a composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of porcine type I elastase and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the composition comprises than 100 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 75 ng trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 50 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 25 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 15 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 10 ng or trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 5 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 4 ng trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 3 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, less than 2 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase, or less than 1.56 ng of trypsin activity per mg of elastase.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides compositions of elastase proteins, such as mature elastase proteins, including but not limited to pharmaceutical compositions, elastase formulations or unit dosages, that are free of N-terminal variants corresponding to one, two, three or all four of SEQ ID NOS: 70, 71, 104, 105. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of mature human type I elastase (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which pharmaceutical composition is free of any protein with SEQ ID NOS:70, 71, 104, 105.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition, including but not limited to a pharmaceutical composition, an elastase formulation or unit dosage, comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of human type I elastase that is free or substantially free of variant proteins containing specific additional amino acids on the N-terminal end of the mature elastase protein (SEQ ID NOS: 37, 38, 70, 71, 94, 95, 104, 105) and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of human type I elastase that is free or substantially free of variant proteins lacking N-terminal amino acids of the mature elastase protein (SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 37, 38, 70, 71, 85, 86, 94, 95, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In specific embodiments, the human type I elastase and/or the composition comprises less than 25% N-terminal variants, less than 20% N-terminal variants, less than 15% N-terminal variants, less than 10% N-terminal variants, less than 5% N-terminal variants, less than 4% N-terminal variants, less than 3% N-terminal variants, less than 2% N-terminal variants, less than 1% N-terminal variants, less than 0.5% N-terminal variants, 0% N-terminal variants, or comprises N-terminal variants in an amount ranging between any two of the foregoing percentages (e.g., 2%-25% N-terminal variants, 0.5%-10% N-terminal variants, 5%-15% N-terminal variants, 0%-2% N-terminal variants, etc.). As used herein, the term “less than X % N-terminal variants” refers to the amount of N-terminal variants as a percentage of total elastase protein.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a composition, including but not limited to a pharmaceutical composition, an elastase formulation or unit dosage, comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of mature human type I elastase (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of bacterial proteins and/or is substantially free of mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase. In specific embodiments, the human type I elastase and/or the composition comprises less than 25% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 20% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 15% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 10% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 5% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 4% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 3% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 2% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 1% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, less than 0.5% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, 0% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, or comprises bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase in an amount ranging between any two of the foregoing percentages (e.g., 2%-25% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, 0.5%-10% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, 5%-15% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, 0%-2% bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase, etc.). As used herein, the term “less than X % bacterial proteins and/or mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase” refers to the amount of such proteins as a percentage of total protein in an elastase preparation or in said composition. In certain embodiments, the elastase represents at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, at least 99.5% or at least 99.8% of the total protein in such compositions or preparations.

Methods for the treatment and prevention of diseases of biological conduits, comprising administration of compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions, elastase formulations or unit dosages) comprising a purified mature human type I elastase of the invention to a patient in need thereof, are also provided.

Further provided are vectors comprising nucleic acids encoding any of the elastase proteins of the invention (“nucleic acids of the invention”), host cells engineered to express the nucleic acids of the invention. In specific embodiments, the vectors further comprise a nucleotide sequence which regulates the expression of the elastase protein. For example, the nucleotide sequence encoding the protein of the invention can be operably linked to a methanol-inducible promoter. Other suitable promoters are exemplified in Section 5.3 below.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding an open reading frame, the open reading frame comprising a yeast α-factor signal peptide or a type I elastase signal peptide (e.g., porcine elastase signal peptide) operably linked to a human type I elastase proprotein sequence. Optionally, the vector further comprises a methanol-inducible promoter operably linked to the open reading frame.

Host cells comprising the nucleic acids and vectors of the invention are also provided. In certain embodiments, the vector or nucleic acid is integrated into the host cell genome; in other embodiments, the vector or nucleic acid is extrachromosomal. A preferred host cell is a Pichia pastoris cell. Other suitable host cells are exemplified in Section 5.3 below.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a Pichia pastoris host cell genetically engineered to encode an open reading frame comprising a yeast α-factor signal peptide or a porcine elastase signal peptide operably linked to a human type I elastase proenzyme sequence. Optionally, the open reading frame is under the control of a methanol-inducible promoter.

The present invention further provides methods for producing an immature or mature elastase protein of the invention comprising culturing a host cell engineered to express a nucleic acid of the invention under conditions in which the proelastase protein is produced. In certain embodiments, the mature elastase protein is also produced.

Preferred culture conditions for producing the proelastase and mature proteins of the invention, particularly for the host cell Pichia pastoris, include a period of growth at a low pH. Typically, the low pH is 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, or any range between any pair of the foregoing values. In specific embodiments, the low pH is a pH ranging from 2.0 to 6.0, from 2.0 to 5.0, from 3.0 to 6.0, from 3.0 to 5.0, from 4.0 to 6.0, or from 3.0 to 4.0. At the end of the culture period, the pH of the culture can be raised, preferably to a pH of 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0 or a pH ranging between any two of the foregoing values for the purpose of separating or removing the activation sequence from the mature elastase protein. In specific embodiments, the pH of the culture is raised to a pH ranging from 7.5 to 10.0 or 8.0 to 9.0 and most preferably to a pH of 8.0.

Where the expression of a proelastase protein of the invention is under the control of a methanol-inducible promoter, conditions for producing an immature or mature elastase protein of the invention may also comprise a period of methanol induction.

The elastase production methods of the invention may further comprise the step of recovering the protein expressed by the host cell. In certain instances, the protein recovered is a proelastase comprising the activation sequence. In other instances, the protein recovered is a mature elastase lacking the activation sequence. Under certain conditions, both proelastase and mature elastase proteins are recovered.

Preferably, particularly where it is desired to circumvent auto-activation of an auto-activated proelastase, culture conditions for proelastase expression may comprise a period of growth and induction at low pH. Typically, the low pH is 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0, or any range between any pair of the foregoing values. In specific embodiments, the low pH is a pH ranging from 2.0 to 3.0, from 4.0 to 5.0, from 5.0 to 6.0, or from 6.0 to 7.0. In particular embodiments, the pH ranges from 4.0 to 6.0 and is most preferably a pH of 5.5.

Preferably, particularly where it is desired to circumvent auto-activation of an auto-activated proelastase, culture conditions for proelastase expression comprise a period of growth and induction in sodium citrate, sodium succinate, or sodium acetate. In specific embodiments, a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-15 mM, 50-200 mM, 75-175 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or of any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values (e.g., 50-75 mM, 75-100 mM, etc.) is used. In a preferred embodiment, the sodium citrate, sodium succinate, or sodium acetate concentration is 90-110 mM and most preferably is 100 mm.

Additionally, particularly where it is desired to circumvent auto-activation of an auto-activated proelastase or auto-degradation by mature elastase, culture conditions for expression of an immature elastase protein may comprise a period of growth and induction at the lower end of the temperature range suitable for the host cell in question. For example, where the host cell is a Pichia pastoris host cell, the preferred range is about 22-28° C. In a specific embodiment, the Pichia pastoris host cell is cultured at 28° C.

Additionally, particularly where it is desired to circumvent protein degradation by host cell proteases, culture conditions for expression of an immature elastase protein may comprise a period of growth and induction at the lower end of the temperature range suitable for the host cell in question. For example, where the host cell is a Pichia pastoris host cell, the preferred range is about 22-28° C. In a specific embodiment, the Pichia pastoris host cell is cultured at 28° C.

The activation of an auto-activated proelastase protein of the invention may be initiated by the addition of extrinsic elastase in a small (catalytic) amount. In certain embodiments, a catalytic amount of extrinsic elastase represents less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5% or less than 0.1%, on either a molar or molecular weight basis, of the elastase in the sample to which the catalytic elastase is added.

Alternatively or concurrently, the auto-activated proelastase may be subjected to pH 7-11 (most preferably pH 8), upon which the auto-activated proelastase activation peptide is removed without requiring trypsin and resulting in mature, active elastase. In specific embodiments, Tris base is added to a concentration of 50-200 mM, 75-175 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values (e.g., 50-75 mM, 75-100 mM, etc.) during the activation step. In a preferred embodiment, Tris base is added to a concentration 90-110 mM, most preferably 100 mM. The pH of the Tris base is preferably 7-11; in specific embodiments, the Tris base is at a pH of 7.0-11.0, 7-9, 7.5 to 9.5, 7.5 to 10, 8-10, 8-9, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values. In a preferred embodiment, the Tris base is at a pH of 7.5-8.5, most preferably 8.0.

Expression of an immature elastase sequence can in some instances yield a mixture of proelastase proteins and mature elastase proteins, as well as N-terminal variant elastase proteins. Thus, the present invention provides a composition comprising at least two of (1) a proelastase protein, (2) a mature elastase protein, and (3) N-terminal variant elastase proteins.

Once a mature elastase is produced, it can be lyophilized, for example for pharmaceutical formulations. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides methods of isolating a lyophilized mature type I elastase comprising steps:

(a) culturing a host cell, such as a Pichia pastoris host cell, engineered to express a nucleic acid molecule encoding a preproelastase open reading frame under conditions in which the open reading frame is expressed, wherein, in a specific embodiment, said open reading frame comprises nucleotide sequences encoding, in a 5′ to 3′ direction (i) a signal peptide, e.g., a signal peptide operable in Pichia pastoris; (ii) an activation sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence; and (iii) the sequence of a mature type I elastase protein, thereby producing a proelastase protein;

(b) subjecting the proelastase protein to autoactivation conditions, thereby producing a mature type I elastase, wherein the autoactivation conditions include, one or a combination of the following:

-   -   (i) changing the pH of a solution (which can be a cell culture         supernatant) containing the proelastase protein, e.g., to a pH         of 6.5-11, preferably 8-9;     -   (ii) purifying the proelastase protein, for example, by ion         exchange chromatography, and subjecting the solution extended         conversion to remove N-terminal variants, thereby producing         mature human type I elastase;     -   (iii) concentrating the proelastase protein (e.g., 2-fold,         3-fold, 5-fold, 8-fold, 10-fold, 12-fold, or a range in which         the upper and lower limits are independently selected from the         foregoing levels of concentrations);     -   (iv) subjecting the proelastase protein to increased temperature         (e.g., 29° C., 30° C., 32° C., 35° C., 40° C., 45° C., or 40°         C., or a range in which the upper and lower limits are         independently selected from the foregoing temperatures);     -   (v) purifying the proelastase protein (e.g., using Macro-Prep         High S Resin) from a cell culture supernatant and incubating a         solution comprising the purified proelastase protein at ambient         temperatures (e.g., 22° C. to 26° C.) for a period of at least         one day (e.g., one day, two days, three days, four days five         days, or six days, a range of days in which the upper and lower         limits are independently selected from the foregoing values)         (this is influenced by the presence of citrate/acetate,         concentration, temperature, and pH in the solution, and can         readily be determined by one of skill in the art).

(c) optionally, purifying the mature human type I elastase, e.g., ion exchange chromatography step for polish chromatography; and

(d) lyophilizing the mature type I elastase, thereby isolating a lyophilized mature human type I elastase. The mature type I elastase is preferably a human type I elastase. In certain aspects, the lyophilized mature type I elastase is preferably more than 95% pure; in specific embodiments, the lyophilized mature type I elastase is more than 98% or more than 99% pure.

The mature elastase proteins of the invention can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions. Thus, in exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a method of generating a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature human type I elastase, said method comprising (i) isolating a lyophilized mature human type I elastase according to the methods described above; and (ii) reconstituting the lyophilized mature human type I elastase in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The mature human type I elastases of the invention preferably have a specific activity of greater than 1, greater than 5, greater than 10, greater than 20, greater than 25, or greater than 30 U/mg of protein, as determined by measuring the rate of hydrolysis of the small peptide substrate N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Ala-pNitroanilide (SLAP), which is catalyzed by the addition of elastase. One unit of activity is defined as the amount of elastase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1 micromole of substrate per minute at 30° C. and specific activity is defined as activity per mg of elastase protein (U/mg). Preferably, a mature human type I elastase of the invention has a specific activity within a range in which the lower limit is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 U/mg protein and in which the upper limit is, independently, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 50 U/mg protein. In exemplary embodiments, the specific activity is in the range of 1-40 U/mg of protein, 1-5 U/mg protein, 2-10 U/mg protein, 4-15 U/mg protein, 5-30 U/mg of protein, 10-20 U/mg of protein, 20-40 U/mg of protein, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values (e.g., 1-10 U/mg, 5-40 U/mg, etc.).

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are preferably stable. In specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition (for example a pharmaceutical composition prepared by lyophilization and reconstitution as described above) maintains at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably at least 70% of its specific activity after a week of storage at 4° C. In specific embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition maintains at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85% or at least 95% of its specific activity after reconstitution and a week of storage at 4° C.

This invention also provides proteins comprising a type I elastase proprotein amino acid sequence containing an elastase cleavage domain sequence. Other cleavage domains that can be used in this invention are any of the sequences described by the concensus cleavage domain sequence (SEQ ID NO:74) Xaa₁ Xaa₂ Xaa₃ Xaa₄ Xaa₅ Xaa₆ Xaa₇ Xaa₈, where Xaa₁=P5, Xaa₂=P4, Xaa₃=P3, Xaa₄=P2, Xaa₅=P1, Xaa₆=P′1, Xaa₇=P′2, and Xaa₈=P′3, where:

-   -   Xaa₁ is glutamate, histidine, proline, glycine, asparagine,         lysine, or alanine, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₂ is threonine, alanine, proline or histidine or, optionally,         an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₃ is alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine,         asparagine or valine, or, optionally, an analog thereof, but is         preferably not glycine or proline;     -   Xaa₄ is proline, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, valine,         or threonine, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₅ is alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or serine but not         glycine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline, arginine, glutamate,         or lysine, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₆ is alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine or serine, or,         optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₇ is glycine, alanine, or valine, or, optionally, an analog         thereof; and

Xaa₈ is valine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, or tryptophan, or, optionally, an analog thereof.

This invention also provides a method of isolating a mature human type I elastase comprising: (a) culturing, under culturing conditions, a host cell comprising a nucleotide sequence which encodes a proprotein comprising (i) an activation sequence comprising a trypsin recognition sequence operably linked to (ii) the amino acid sequence of a protein having elastase activity under said culturing conditions, wherein said culturing conditions comprise a period of growth or induction at pH of 2 to 6; (b) recovering the expressed proprotein; (c) contacting the recovered protein with a catalytic amount of trypsin under pH conditions in which the trypsin is active; and (d) isolating mature human type I elastase. In this method the mature human type I elastase may consist essentially of SEQ ID NO: 1, 4, 5, 84, or 87. In certain embodiments, the conditions may comprise (a) a period of growth or induction at pH of 4 to 6; (b) a period of growth or induction at 22° C. to 28° C.; or (c) sodium citrate, sodium succinate, or sodium acetate concentrations of about 50 mM to about 200 mM or a sodium citrate concentration is 90 mM to about 110 mM in the culture media of said host cells.

It should be noted that the indefinite articles “a” and “an” and the definite article “the” are used in the present application, as is common in patent applications, to mean one or more unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Further, the term “or” is used in the present application, as is common in patent applications, to mean the disjunctive “or” or the conjunctive “and.”

All publications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-1B: FIG. 1A shows the synthetic (i.e., recombinant) human ELA-1.2A sequence. The recombinant human elastase-1 (i.e., human type I pancreatic elastase) sequence contains a 750-base pair coding region. Selected restriction enzyme sites are underlined. Base substitutions are in double underlined, bolded text and the codons containing them are double underlined. Stop codons are shaded in gray (but not underlined). The propeptide sequence is italicized. The coding region results in a 250-amino acid protein. After cleavage of the 10-amino acid propeptide, the resulting mature enzyme is 240 amino acids. FIG. 1B shows the pPROT24 translational fusion region. The translational fusion between the vector and the ELA-1 coding region is depicted. The PCR amplification of the ELA-1 sequence provided for the incorporation of the Kex2 and STE13 signal cleavage domains to yield a secreted product with an expected N-terminus of the first amino acid (in bold text) of the activation sequence (italicized).

FIG. 2: A N-terminal to C-terminal schematic of the (overlapping) core components of the elastase proteins of the invention, wherein the numbered components depict: (1) signal sequence (vertical stripes); (2) optional propeptide/spacer sequence (bricks); (3) elastase propeptide (diagonal stripes, gray fill and diamond pattern combined); (4) activation peptide (gray fill and diamond pattern combined); (5) recognition sequence (diamond pattern); (6) cleavage domain (gray fill, diamond pattern and the left portion of the horizontal stripes); (7) cleavage site (gray fill, diamond pattern and the left portion of the horizontal stripes); (8) preproelastase protein (entire scheme); (9) proelastase protein (diagonal stripes, gray fill, diamond pattern and horizontal stripes combined); and (10) mature elastase protein (horizontal stripes). The table shows the amino acid designations of the region in the schematic spanned by the arrow. Not drawn to scale. The nomenclature is for reference purposes only and is not intended to connote a particular function, activity or mechanism.

FIG. 3. Diagram of the pPROT24-V Vector. “α-factor secretion” refers to a cassette containing the yeast α-factor signal peptide and propeptide, followed by a Kex2 site and STE13 repeats.

FIG. 4: SDS-PAGE analysis of fractions from capture chromatography of a 201-24-266-VU culture containing trypsin-activated pro-PRT-201. Lane numbers correspond to fraction numbers. Fractions 6-18 primarily consist of glycosylated proenzyme (upper band) and non-glycosylated proenzyme (lower band). Fractions 19-35 primarily consist of non-glycosylated proenzyme. M=molecular weight markers. FT=column flow through.

FIG. 5: Auto-activated proprotein data table. Propeptide sequences are listed in the first column. SDS-PAGE of supernatants after 1, 2 and 3 days of induction (lanes 1, 2 and 3, respectively) are shown in the second column. Relative proprotein yields based on SDS-PAGE are listed in the third column. Relative stabilities of the proprotein over 3 days of induction based on SDS-PAGE are listed in the fourth column. Proproteins with 42 and 48 propeptide sequences are ranked as having low stability because of the presence of mature protein during induction (observed after 1, 2 and 3 days for the 42 variant and after 2 and 3 days for the 48 variant). Relative conversion rates of the proproteins as determined by time to achieve maximal SLAP reaction velocity are listed in the fifth column. The estimated percentages of converted protein that comprised N-terminal variants of the mature elastase protein are listed in the sixth column.

FIG. 6. pPROT55M3-V cloning scheme. pPROT55M3-V was engineered by in vitro ligation of two additional expression cassettes to the 4.3 kb pPROT55-V vector backbone, giving a total of three tandem expression cassettes. The 2.3 kb expression cassette fragment was released from pPROT55-V with a BglII and BamHI restriction digest and purified, followed by ligation of two copies of the expression cassette to pPROT55-V linearized with BamHI.

FIG. 7: Shaker flask optimization of clone 201-55M3-006-VU. The standard induction media, BKME, was prepared and supplemented with sodium citrate to achieve final concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25 and 50 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.5. The media was used to resuspend growth phase cell pellets using a ratio of 1 g wet cell weight to 10 mL of induction media. Cell suspensions of 25 mL each were placed in a 250 mL non-baffled flasks and incubated at 22° C. or 25° C. for 3 days with shaking at 275 rpm. Methanol was added twice daily to a final concentration of 0.5% by volume. Supernatant aliquots were taken during the 3-day period and analyzed for protein expression by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining. Panel A shows samples induced at 22° C. and Panel B shows samples induced at 25° C. In both panels, lanes 1-3 are supernatants after 1, 2 and 3 days of induction, respectively, containing 0% sodium citrate; lanes 4-6 are similar except with 12.5% sodium citrate; lanes 7-9 are similar except with 25% sodium citrate; and lanes 10-12 are similar except with 50 mM sodium citrate.

FIG. 8. SDS-PAGE analysis of 201-55-001-VU and 201-55M3-003-VU fermentation supernatants. Lanes 1, 2: 201-55-001-VU supernatant; lanes 3, 4: 201-55M3-003-VU supernatant; lane 5: empty; lane 6: molecular weight markers.

FIG. 9. SDS-PAGE analysis of fractions from pPROT55M3-V proprotein capture chromatography. A total of 30 microliters from each elution fraction was mixed with 10 microliters 4× Laemmli sample loading buffer supplemented with beta-mercaptoethanol. The proteins were electrophoresed on an 8-16% linear gradient gel followed by Coomassie staining. Two predominant forms of PRT-201 were observed: the proprotein (fractions 15-43) and spontaneously converted mature PRT-201 (fractions 15-44). Lane numbers correspond to fraction numbers. M, molecular weight marker. BC, before column (pre-load) sample.

FIG. 10: HIC-HPLC analysis of purified proprotein conversion. Purified pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU was subjected to conversion at 26° C. The graph shows relative amounts of mature (full-length) PRT-201 and N-terminal variants produced during the conversion.

FIG. 11: HIC-HPLC analysis of proprotein conversion in fermentation supernatant effected by tangential flow filtration. Clarified 201-55M3-003-VU fermentation supernatant was subjected to tangential flow filtration with 100 mM Tris, pH 8.0, using constant volume diafiltration at ambient temperature with regenerated cellulose membranes. The graph shows relative amounts of proprotein, mature (full-length) PRT-201 and N-terminal variants present at various time points during the conversion.

FIG. 12. SDS-PAGE analysis of fractions from pPROT55M3-V conversion capture chromatography. A total of 30 microliters from each elution fraction was mixed with 10 microliters 4× Laemmli sample loading buffer supplemented with beta-mercaptoethanol. The proteins were electrophoresed on an 8-16% linear gradient gel followed by Coomassie staining. Two predominant forms of PRT-201 were observed: the glycosylated mature form (fractions 35-70), and the non-glycosylated mature form (fractions 75-160). Lane numbers correspond to fraction numbers. M, molecular weight marker. BC, before column (pre-load) sample.

FIG. 13: Concentration dependence of pro conversion. Purified pro-PRT-201 from the 201-55M3-003-VU clone (pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU) was subjected to conversion at concentrations of 0.2, 1.0, 1.6, and 1.8 mg/mL. Conversion reactions were monitored by HIC-HPLC in real-time until the proprotein was ≦1% of the total protein. The graph shows the relative amounts of mature (full-length) PRT-201 (lightly shaded bars) and N-terminal variants (darkly shaded bars) produced during the conversions.

FIG. 14. DNA sequence of synthetic (i.e., recombinant) porcine pancreatic elastase type 1. The recombinant sequence contains a 750 base pair coding region. Sacll and Xbal restriction sites as underlined were incorporated to facilitate cloning. Stop codons are highlighted. The pro-peptide sequence is in bold-face type.

FIG. 15. Amino acid sequence of synthetic (i.e., recombinant) porcine type I pancreatic elastase. The pro-peptide region is in bold-face type while the trypsin cleavage site is highlighted. After cleavage of the 10 amino acid pro-peptide, the resulting mature enzyme is 240 amino acids.

FIG. 16. Cloning scheme of porcine type I pancreatic elastase into PV-1 vector. After synthesis of the porcine type I pancreatic elastase proprotein coding region, it was cloned in the Blue Heron pUC vector. In addition to amplifying the coding sequence of porcine type I pancreatic elastase, PCR was used to incorporate XhoI and SacII restriction sites for cloning into the PV-1 vector. The PCR product was digested, gel-purified and ligated with PV-1 vector digested with XhoI and SacII, thus resulting in a pPROT101-24-V expression vector encoding trypsin-activated porcine type I pancreatic elastase proprotein.

FIG. 17. Expression analysis of auto-activated pPROT101-42-V and trypsin-activated pPROT101-24-V clones during methanol induction by SDS-PAGE. Shaker flask supernatants after 1 day of induction were analyzed on an 8-16% gradient gel followed by staining with Coomassie staining. Lanes 1-10 contain supernatants from ten different clones transformed with pPROT101-42-V. Lanes 11-12 contain supernatants from two different clones transformed with pPROT101-24-V. M, molecular weight markers.

FIG. 18. Expression analysis of auto-activated pPROT101-49-V and pPROT101-55L-V clones during methanol induction by SDS-PAGE. Shaker flask supernatants after 1 and 2 days of induction were analyzed on an 8-16% gradient gel followed by Coomassie staining. Lanes 1-2 contain supernatants from a pPROT101-49-V clone after 1 and 2 days of induction, respectively. Lanes 3-4 contain supernatants from a pPROT101-55L-V clone after 1 and 2 days of induction, respectively. M, molecular weight markers.

FIG. 19. Time course activation of pPROT101-49-V and pPROT101-55L-V proteins by small-scale conversion assay as determined by SLAP elastase activity. Error bars represent ±SD of the mean (n=4).

FIG. 20. SDS-PAGE analysis of pPROT101-49-V and pPROT101-55L-V supernatants before and after small-scale conversion assay. Prior to electrophoresis, the samples were mixed with citric acid, the reducing agent TCEP, and LDS sample buffer (Invitrogen, Calif.). The samples were heated at 70° C. for 10 minutes. Lanes 1-2: pPROT101-49-V pre- and post-conversion assay supernatant, respectively; lanes 3-4: pPROT101-55L-V pre- and post-conversion assay supernatant, respectively. M, molecular weight markers.

FIG. 21. TrypZean standard curve.

FIG. 22. A side, partially sectioned view of one embodiment of the medical device described in Section 5.9.

FIG. 23. A view similar to FIG. 22 that illustrates the movement of the actuators of the medical device.

FIG. 24. An end section view in the plane of line 2-2 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 25. An end section view in the plane of line 3-3 in FIG. 22.

FIG. 26. A diagram of the fluid path of the medical device of FIG. 22, extending from the Luer hubs through the fluid delivery conduits to the reservoir and then to the tissue penetrators.

FIG. 27. A side, partially sectioned view of a second embodiment of the medical device of the present invention showing the actuators in their constrained configurations.

FIG. 28. A view similar to FIG. 27, but showing the actuators in their unconstrained configurations.

FIG. 29. An end perspective view of the assembly along the line 3′-3′ of FIG. 27.

FIG. 30. An end perspective view of the assembly along the line 4′-4′ of FIG. 29 showing the tissue penetrators.

FIG. 31. A side view showing the detail of the proximal end of the device, shown to the right in FIGS. 27 and 28.

FIG. 32. A partial view of the exterior of the medical device of FIG. 22 in its constrained position.

5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods for recombinant expression and production of mature, biologically active elastase proteins. The present invention provides novel, efficient methods of making recombinant elastase proteins by culturing host cells, including the preferred host cell, Pichia pastoris, comprising nucleic acids encoding proelastase proteins and preproelastase proteins. The use of the recombinant proteins to manufacture pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment and prevention of diseases of biological conduits (including arteries or veins) is also provided.

In certain aspects, the present invention is directed to recombinant auto-activated proelastase proteins and related nucleic acids, host cells, and methods of manufacture. Such auto-activated proelastase proteins are engineered to contain an elastase recognition site immediately N-terminal to the first residue of the mature elastase protein. Under specified culture conditions, such as those described in Section 6 below, it is possible to reduce auto-activation until activation is desired. It is also possible to reduce auto-activation until the pro-elastase is removed from the cell culture.

The present invention provides efficient expression and purification processes for producing pharmaceutical grade elastase proteins. The present invention also provides methods for treating or preventing diseases of biological conduits using the elastase proteins of the invention.

The description in Section 5 herein is applicable to the embodiments of Section 8. Thus, for example, a reference to an elastase protein of the invention includes, but is not limited to, a reference to an elastase protein according to any one of embodiments 1-39 and 68-69, or an elastase protein obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 89-224, 261 to 276, and 347 to 373. Likewise, a reference to a nucleic acid of the invention refers, inter alia, to a nucleic acid according to any one of embodiments 40-67; reference to a vector refers, inter alia, a reference to a vector according to any one of embodiments 70-72; reference to a cell refers, inter alia, to a cell according to any one of embodiments 73-87, reference to a cell culture supernatant refers, inter alia, to a cell culture supernatant according to embodiment 88; reference to compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, elastase formulations and unit dosages, includes, for example, those exemplified in embodiments 277-314, 346, 386, and 415-420 or those obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 261-276 and 374-385; and references to therapeutic methods also includes a reference to therapeutic methods according to any one of embodiments 387-414; and reference to a kit includes a reference to, inter alia, a reference to a kit of embodiments 421-425 of Section 8.

5.1 Elastase Proteins

The present invention is directed to, inter alia, methods for recombinant expression and production of mature, biologically active elastase proteins. The elastase proteins are generally expressed as preproproteins, containing, among other sequences, a signal peptide, an activation peptide, and a mature portion with biological activity. Suitable mature elastase protein sequences are described in Section 5.1.1 below. Suitable activation peptide sequences are described in Section 5.1.2 below. Suitable signal sequences are described in Section 5.1.3 below.

Accordingly, in certain aspects, the elastase proteins of the invention are preproelastase proteins. Removal of the signal sequence from the preproprotein upon secretion generally yields an inactive proprotein containing an activation peptide and a mature protein. The phrases “activation sequence” and “activation peptide” are used interchangeably herein. Thus, in other aspects, the elastase proteins of the invention are proelastase proteins comprising an activation peptide that is operably linked to a mature elastase protein. In an exemplary embodiment, an activation peptide or sequence of a wild-type human type I pancreatic elastase comprises the first N-terminal amino acids of the human type I elastase proprotein (SEQ ID NO:22). In certain embodiments, the activation peptide is a peptide of SEQ ID NO:80. Activation peptides or sequences useful in the practice of this invention also include, but are not limited to, SEQ ID NO: 23, 72 and 73. Still other activation sequences useful in the practice of this invention can be obtained from the N-terminal residues 1-10 of SEQ ID NO:64-69 and 98-103.

Removal of the activation peptide from the proelastase sequence generates a mature elastase protein. The step by which the activation peptide is removed from the proelastase sequence/separated from the mature elastase sequence to generate a mature elastase protein is referred to herein as an activation step. Thus, in yet other aspects, the elastase proteins of the invention are mature elastase proteins.

Amino acid residues comprising the C-terminus (i.e., carboxy terminus) of the activation peptide and the N-terminus (i.e., amino terminus) of the mature protein that surround the cleavage bond are depicted in FIG. 2 and also identified herein as follows. First, residues located at the C-terminus of the activation peptide are designated PX, . . . P5, P4, P3, P2, and P1, where P1 is the C-terminal residue of the activation peptide. Residues located at the N-terminus of the mature protein are designated P1′, P2′, P3′, . . . PX′, where P1′ is the N-terminal amino acid residue of the mature protein. The scissile bond that is cleaved by proteolysis (referred to as the “cleavage bond” in FIG. 2) is the peptide bond between the P1 residue of the activation peptide and P1′ residue of the mature protein.

The region spanning 4 amino acids of the C-terminus of the activation peptide (residues P4 to P1) through to the first 4 amino acids of the N-terminus of the mature protein (residues P1′ to P4′) is referred to herein as the “cleavage site.”

The region spanning approximately 5 amino acids of the C-terminus of the activation peptide (i.e., residues P5 to P1) through to approximately the first 3 amino acids of the N-terminus of the mature protein (i.e., residues P1′ to P3′) is referred to herein as the “cleavage domain.” Examples of cleavage domains that can be used in the context of this invention include, but are not limited to, SEQ ID NOS: 42, 43, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54 or 55. Other cleavage domains that can be used in this invention are any of the sequences described by the consensus cleavage domain sequence Xaa₁ Xaa₂ Xaa₃ Xaa₄ Xaa₅ Xaa₆ Xaa₇ Xaa₈, where Xaa₁=P5, Xaa₂=P4, Xaa₃=P3, Xaa₄=P2, Xaa₅=P1, Xaa₆=P1′, Xaa₇=P2′, and Xaa₈=P3′, where:

-   -   Xaa₁ is glutamate, histidine, proline, glycine, asparagine,         lysine, or alanine, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₂ is threonine, alanine, proline or histidine or, optionally,         an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₃ is alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine,         asparagine or valine, or, optionally, an analog thereof, but is         preferably not glycine or proline;     -   Xaa₄ is proline, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, valine,         or threonine, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₅ is alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or serine but not         glycine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline, arginine, glutamate,         or lysine, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₆ is alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine or serine, or,         optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₇ is glycine, alanine, or valine, or, optionally, an analog         thereof; and     -   Xaa₈ is valine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, or         tryptophan, or, optionally, an analog thereof.

The three amino acid region spanning residues P3, P2, and P1 of the activation peptide is referred to herein as an “elastase recognition site”. Examples of recognition sites that can be used in the context of this invention include, but are not limited to, SEQ ID NOS: 14-16, and 18-21. Other recognition sites contemplated by this invention include any recognition site described by the consensus recognition sites of SEQ ID NO: 11, 12, 13, or 93. The SEQ ID NO:11 consensus elastase recognition sequence 1 is represented by the peptide sequence Xaa₁ Xaa₂ Xaa₃, wherein Xaa₁=P3, Xaa₂=P2, Xaa₃=P1, wherein:

-   -   Xaa₁ is alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine,         asparagine or valine, or, optionally, an analog thereof but is         preferably not glycine or proline;     -   Xaa₂ is proline, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, valine,         or threonine, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₃ is alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or serine, or,         optionally, an analog thereof, but is preferably not glycine,         tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline, arginine, glutamate, or         lysine.

The SEQ ID NO:12 consensus elastase recognition sequence 2 is represented by the sequence Xaa₁ Pro Xaa₂, wherein:

-   -   Xaa₁ is alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine, or         valine, or, optionally, an analog thereof, but is preferably not         glycine or proline;     -   Pro is proline, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₂ is alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or serine, or,         optionally, an analog thereof, but is preferably not glycine,         tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline, arginine, glutamate, or         lysine.

The SEQ ID NO: 13 consensus elastase recognition sequence 3 is represented by the peptide sequence Xaa₁ Xaa₂ Xaa₃, wherein Xaa₁=P3, Xaa₂=P2, Xaa₃=P1 wherein Xaa₁ is asparagine or alanine, or, optionally, an analog thereof, wherein Xaa₂ is proline or alanine, or, optionally, an analog thereof, and wherein Xaa₃ is alanine, leucine, or valine, or, optionally, an analog thereof.

The SEQ ID NO:93 consensus elastase recognition sequence 4 is represented by the sequence Xaa₁ Pro Xaa₂, wherein:

-   -   Xaa₁ is alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine,         asparagine or valine, or, optionally, an analog thereof, but is         preferably not glycine or proline;     -   Pro is proline, or, optionally, an analog thereof;     -   Xaa₂ is alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or serine, or,         optionally, an analog thereof, but is preferably not glycine,         tyrosine, phenylalanine, proline, arginine, glutamate, or         lysine.

Reference to a sequence as a “cleavage sequence,” “cleavage domain,” “activation sequence,” “elastase recognition sequence,” etc., is solely for ease of reference and is not intended to imply any function of the sequence or mechanism by which the sequence is recognized or processed.

The proteins of the invention are generally composed of amino acids and may in addition include one or more (e.g., up to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 or 15) amino acid analogs. Generally, as used herein, an amino acid refers to a naturally-occurring L stereoisomer. An amino acid analog refers to a D-stereoisomer, a chemically modified amino acid, or other unnatural amino acid. For example, unnatural amino acids include, but are not limited to azetidinecarboxylic acid, 2-aminoadipic acid, 3-aminoadipic acid, β-alanine, aminopropionic acid, 2-aminobutyric acid, 4-aminobutyric acid, 6-aminocaproic acid, 2-aminoheptanoic acid, 2-aminoisobutyric acid, 3-aminoisbutyric acid, 2-aminopimelic acid, tertiary-butylglycine, 2,4-diaminoisobutyric acid, desmosine, 2,2′-diaminopimelic acid, 2,3-diaminoproprionic acid, N-ethylglycine, N-ethylasparagine, homoproline, hydroxylysine, allo-hydroxylysine, 3-hydroxyproline, 4-hydroxyproline, isodesmosine, allo-isoleucine, N-methylalanine, N-methylglycine, N-methylisoleucine, N-methylpentylglycine, N-methylvaline, naphthalanine, norvaline, norleucine, ornithine, pentylglycine, pipecolic acid and thioproline. A chemically modified amino acid includes an amino acid that is chemically blocked, reversibly or irreversibly, and/or modified at one or more of its side groups, α-carbon atoms, terminal amino group, or terminal carboxylic acid group. A chemical modification includes adding chemical moieties, creating new bonds, and removing chemical moieties. Examples of chemically modified amino acids include, for example, methionine sulfoxide, methionine sulfone, S-(carboxymethyl)-cysteine, S-(carboxymethyl)-cysteine sulfoxide and S-(carboxymethyl)-cysteine sulfone. Modifications at amino acid side groups include acylation of lysine ε-amino groups, N-alkylation of arginine, histidine, or lysine, alkylation of glutamic or aspartic carboxylic acid groups, and deamidation of glutamine or asparagine. Modifications of the terminal amino include the des-amino, N-lower alkyl, N-di-lower alkyl, and N-acyl modifications. Modifications of the terminal carboxy group include the amide, lower alkyl amide, dialkyl amide, and lower alkyl ester modifications. A lower alkyl is a C₁-C₄ alkyl. Furthermore, one or more side groups, or terminal groups, may be protected by protective groups known to the ordinarily-skilled protein chemist. The α-carbon of an amino acid may be mono- or di-methylated.

The proteins of the invention may be modified or derivatized, such as modified by phosphorylation or glycosylation, or derivatized by conjugation, for example to a lipid or another protein (e.g., for targeting or stabilization), or the like.

The present invention often relates to an “isolated” or “purified” elastase protein. An isolated elastase protein is one that is removed from its cellular milieu. A purified elastase protein is substantially free of cellular material or other contaminating proteins from the cell or tissue source from which the elastase protein is derived, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized. The language “substantially free of cellular material” includes preparations of elastase protein in which the protein is separated from cellular components of the cells from which it is recombinantly produced. Thus, elastase protein that is substantially free of cellular material includes preparations of elastase protein having less than about 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5% (by dry weight) of heterologous protein (also referred to herein as a “contaminating protein”). When the elastase protein is produced by a process in which it is secreted into culture medium, it is also preferably substantially free of the culture medium, i.e., culture medium represents less than about 20%, 10%, or 5% of the volume of the elastase protein preparation.

In certain embodiments, an isolated or purified elastase is additionally free or substantially free of cellular DNA. In specific embodiments, host cell genomic DNA is present in an amount of less than 10 picogram, less than 5 picograms, less than 3 picograms, less than 2 picograms, or less than 1 picogram of DNA per milligram of elastase protein in a preparation of isolated or purified elastase protein, or in a composition comprising isolated or purified elastase protein. In one embodiment, the host cell DNA is Pichia pastoris DNA.

Useful elastase protein sequences are provided in Table 1. In a specific embodiment, the invention provides a proelastase protein (including but not limited to a protein of any one of SEQ ID NOS:6-9, 64-69, 88-91 and 98-103) comprising (i) an activation sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence operably linked to (ii) the amino acid sequence of a protein having type I elastase activity. Several polymorphisms of human type I elastase are known. Any combination of polymorphisms is contemplated in the proelastase protein sequences of the present invention, including but not limited to the combinations of polymorphisms set forth in Table 2. The protein optionally further comprises a signal sequence operably linked to said activation sequence. In certain specific embodiments, the signal sequence is operable in Pichia pastoris, such as a yeast α-factor signal peptide, exemplified by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34. Alternative signal peptide containing sequences are exemplified in SEQ ID NOS:50 and 96 (containing a signal peptide, a non-elastase propeptide and a spacer sequence) and SEQ ID NOS:51 and 97 (containing the signal peptide and a non-elastase propeptide). In other specific embodiments, the signal sequence is a mammalian secretion signal sequence, such as a porcine elastase signal sequence. Preferably, the elastase recognition sequence is a type I elastase recognition sequence, most preferably a human type I elastase recognition sequence.

The present invention further encompasses variants of the elastase proteins of the invention. Variants may contain amino acid substitutions at one or more predicted non-essential amino acid residues. Preferably, a variant includes no more than 15, no more than 12, no more than 10, no more than 9, no more than 8, no more than 7, no more than 6, no more than 5, no more than 4, no more than 3, no more than 2 or no more than 1 conservative amino acid substitution relative to a naturally occurring mature elastase and/or no more than 5, no more than 4, no more than 3, or no more than 2 non-conservative amino acid substitutions, or no more than 1 non-conservative amino acid substitution, relative to a naturally occurring mature elastase.

In a specific embodiments, the variant has no more than 10 or more preferably no more than five conservative amino acid substitutions relative to a mature elastase, a proelastase or a preproelastase of the invention, such as with respect to a mature elastase of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:84 or a proelastase protein of SEQ ID NO:6-9, 64-69, 88-91, and 98-103. The amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS:1 and 84 contain one or more positions corresponding to potential polymorphisms in the mature elastase sequence, at positions 44 (W or R); 59 (M or V); 220 (V or L); and 243 (Q or R) (positions refer to preproprotein). The invention thus encompasses mature elastase proteins with any combination of the four polymorphisms identified in SEQ ID NO:84. Each of such combinations is outlined in Table 3 above. The sequence of SEQ ID NOS:88-91 and 98-103 further contain a potential polymorphism in the propeptide sequence, at position 10 (Q or H). The invention thus encompasses preproelastase and proelastase sequences containing any combination of the five polymorphisms identified in SEQ ID NOS:88-91 and 98-103. Each of such combinations is outlined in Table 2 above.

A “conservative amino acid substitution” is one in which the amino acid residue is replaced with an amino acid residue having a similar side chain. Families of amino acid residues having similar side chains have been defined in the art. These families include amino acids with basic side chains (e.g., lysine, arginine, histidine), acidic side chains (e.g., aspartic acid, glutamic acid), uncharged polar side chains (e.g., glycine, asparagine, glutamine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine), nonpolar side chains (e.g., alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan), beta-branched side chains (e.g., threonine, valine, isoleucine) and aromatic side chains (e.g., tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan).

The variant elastase proteins of the invention may include amino acid substitutions with amino acid analogs as well as amino acids, as described herein.

In specific embodiments, the protein of the invention comprises or consists essentially of a variant of a mature human type I elastase, e.g., a variant which is at least about 75%, 85%, 90%, 93%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the elastase proproteins or mature elastase proteins listed in Table 1, such as, but not limited to, the elastase proproteins of SEQ ID NOS: 6-9, 64-69, 88-91, and 98-103, and retain elastase activity when expressed to produce a mature elastase protein of SEQ ID NO: 1, 4, 5, 84 or 87.

To determine the percent identity of two amino acid sequences or of two nucleic acids, the sequences are aligned for optimal comparison purposes (e.g., gaps can be introduced in the sequence of a first amino acid or nucleic acid sequence for optimal alignment with a second amino or nucleic acid sequence). The amino acid residues or nucleotides at corresponding amino acid positions or nucleotide positions are then compared. When a position in the first sequence is occupied by the same amino acid residue or nucleotide as the corresponding position in the second sequence, then the molecules are identical at that position. The percent identity between the two sequences is a function of the number of identical positions shared by the sequences (% identity=(# of identical positions/total # of overlapping positions)×100). In one embodiment, the two sequences are the same length. In other embodiments, the two sequences differ in length by no more than 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% or 10% of the length of the longer of the two sequences.

The determination of percent identity between two sequences can be accomplished using a mathematical algorithm. A preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm utilized for the comparison of two sequences is the algorithm of Karlin and Altschul (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:2264-2268, modified as in Karlin and Altschul (1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5873-5877. Such an algorithm is incorporated into the NBLAST and XBLAST programs of Altschul, et al. (1990) J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410. BLAST nucleotide searches can be performed with the NBLAST program, score=100, wordlength=12 to obtain nucleotide sequences homologous to nucleic acid molecules of the invention. BLAST protein searches can be performed with the XBLAST program, score=50, wordlength=3 to obtain amino acid sequences homologous to protein molecules of the invention. To obtain gapped alignments for comparison purposes, Gapped BLAST can be utilized as described in Altschul et al. (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3389-3402. Alternatively, PSI-Blast can be used to perform an iterated search which detects distant relationships between molecules (Id.). When utilizing BLAST, Gapped BLAST, and PSI-Blast programs, the default parameters of the respective programs (e.g., XBLAST and NBLAST) can be used. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Another preferred, non-limiting example of a mathematical algorithm utilized for the comparison of sequences is the algorithm of Myers and Miller, CABIOS (1989). Such an algorithm is incorporated into the ALIGN program (version 2.0) which is part of the CGC sequence alignment software package. When utilizing the ALIGN program for comparing amino acid sequences, a PAM120 weight residue table, a gap length penalty of 12, and a gap penalty of 4 can be used. Additional algorithms for sequence analysis are known in the art and include ADVANCE and ADAM as described in Torellis and Robotti, 1994, Comput. Appl. Biosci. 10:3-5; and FASTA described in Pearson and Lipman, 1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 85:2444-8. Within FASTA, ktup is a control option that sets the sensitivity and speed of the search. If ktup=2, similar regions in the two sequences being compared are found by looking at pairs of aligned residues; if ktup=1, single aligned amino acids are examined. ktup can be set to 2 or 1 for protein sequences, or from 1 to 6 for DNA sequences. The default if ktup is not specified is 2 for proteins and 6 for DNA. For a further description of FASTA parameters, see http://bioweb.pasteur.fr/docs/man/man/fasta.1.html#sect2, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The percent identity between two sequences can be determined using techniques similar to those described above, with or without allowing gaps. In calculating percent identity, typically exact matches are counted.

The elastase proteins of the invention can exhibit post-translational modifications, including, but not limited to glycosylations (e.g., N-linked or O-linked glycosylations), myristylations, palmitylations, acetylations and phosphorylations (e.g., serine/threonine or tyrosine). In one embodiment, the elastase proteins of the invention exhibit reduced levels of O-linked glycosylation and/or N-linked glycosylation relative to endogenously expressed elastase proteins. In another embodiment, the elastase proteins of the invention do not exhibit O-linked glycosylation or N-linked glycosylation.

5.1.1. The Mature Elastase Sequence

The mature elastase sequences of the present invention are preferably mammalian elastase sequences, most preferably human elastase sequences. In other embodiments, the mature mammalian elastase sequences are from other mammals such as mouse, rat, pig, cow, or horse.

In the methods and compositions of the invention, the mature elastase sequence employed is preferably that of a type I pancreatic elastase, which preferentially cleaves hydrophobic protein sequences, preferable on the carboxy side of small hydrophobic residues such as alanine. Examples of type I pancreatic elastases include the human elastase I enzyme (NCBI Accession Number NP_(—)001962) that is expressed in skin and the porcine pancreatic elastase I enzyme (NCBI Accession Number CAA27670) that is expressed in the pancreas. SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:84 are examples of mature human type I elastase sequences.

Alternatively, a type II elastase that can cleave hydrophobic protein sequences, preferably on the carboxy side of medium to large hydrophobic amino acid residues, may be used. Examples of type II elastases include the human elastase IIA enzyme (NCBI Accession Number NP254275) and the porcine elastase II enzyme (NCBI Accession Number A26823) that are both expressed in the pancreas.

Variants of a mature elastase protein of the invention are also encompassed. Variants include proteins comprising amino acid sequences sufficiently identical to or derived from the amino acid sequence of the mature elastase protein of the invention and exhibit elastase biological activity. A biologically active portion of a mature elastase protein of the invention can be a protein which is, for example, at least 150, 160, 175, 180, 185, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, or 239 amino acids in length. Moreover, other biologically active portions, in which other regions of the protein are deleted, can be prepared by recombinant techniques and evaluated for one or more of the functional activities of the native form of a mature elastase protein of the invention.

In addition, mature elastase proteins comprising any combination of the four human type I elastase polymorphisms are represented by SEQ ID NO:84. Possible combinations are set forth in Table 3 above.

5.1.2. Proelastase Activation Sequences

The elastase activation sequence is any sequence whose removal from a proelastase protein results in a biologically active mature elastase protein.

Activation sequences generally contain protease recognition sites adjacent to where proproteins are cleaved to produce mature, biologically active proteins. An activation sequence may be engineered to add a protease or elastase recognition site, or it may be engineered to replace an existing protease recognition site with another protease recognition site. Activation peptides or sequences useful in the practice of this invention include, but are not limited to, SEQ ID NO: 23, 72 and 73. Still other activation sequences useful in the practice of this invention can be obtained from the N-terminal residues 1-10 of SEQ ID NO:64-68. In preferred aspects, the proelastase activation sequence is engineered to contain a recognition sequence for a type I or type II elastase. Most preferably, the elastase recognition sequence is recognized by the mature elastase to which it is operably linked. Thus, in embodiments directed to a type II elastase, the recognition sequence is most preferably a type II elastase recognition sequence. Conversely, in embodiments directed to a type I elastase, the recognition sequence is most preferably a type I elastase recognition sequence. In a preferred embodiment, the recognition sequence is a human type I elastase recognition sequence. Exemplary type I recognition sequences include the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 14-16, and 18-21. Other recognition sites contemplated by this invention include any recognition site described by the consensus recognition sites of SEQ ID NO: 11, 12, or 13.

5.1.3. Signal Sequences

The proelastase proteins of the invention may further contain a signal sequence which increases the secretion of a proelastase protein into the culture medium of the host cell in which it is expressed.

The native signal sequence of the elastase protein may be used, particularly for expression in a mammalian host cell. In other embodiments, the native signal sequence of an elastase protein of the invention can be removed and replaced with a signal sequence from another protein, such as the porcine type I elastase signal sequence, the human type I elastase signal sequence, or the yeast α-factor signal sequence. In certain specific embodiments, the yeast α-factor signal peptide can further comprise (1) a yeast α-factor propeptide or (2) a yeast α-factor propeptide and spacer sequence, each respectively exemplified by the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS:50 and 96 or SEQ ID NOS:51 and 97. Alternatively, the gp67 secretory sequence of the baculovirus envelope protein can be used as a heterologous signal sequence (Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (Ausubel et al., eds., John Wiley & Sons, 1992)). Other examples of eukaryotic heterologous signal sequences include the secretory sequences of melittin and human placental alkaline phosphatase (Stratagene; La Jolla, Calif.). In yet another example, useful prokaryotic heterologous signal sequences include the phoA secretory signal (Sambrook et al., supra) and the protein A secretory signal (Pharmacia Biotech; Piscataway, N.J.).

5.2 Elastase Nucleic Acids

One aspect of the invention pertains to recombinant nucleic acid molecules that encode a recombinant elastase protein of the invention. As used herein, the term “nucleic acid molecule” is intended to include DNA molecules (e.g., cDNA or genomic DNA) and RNA molecules (e.g., mRNA) and analogs of the DNA or RNA generated using nucleotide analogs. The nucleic acid molecule can be single-stranded or double-stranded, but preferably is double-stranded DNA.

The present invention is directed to nucleic acids encoding the elastase proteins of the invention. Thus, in certain embodiments, the present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which encodes a proelastase protein (including but not limited to a protein of any one of SEQ ID NOS:6-9, 64-69, 88-91, or 98-103) comprising (i) an activation sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence operably linked to (ii) the amino acid sequence of a protein having type I elastase activity. In other embodiments, the present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence which encodes a protein comprising (i) a signal sequence operable in Pichia pastoris operably linked to (ii) an activation sequence (including but not limited to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOS: 23, 72, or 73) comprising a protease recognition sequence which in turn is operably linked to (iii) the amino acid sequence of a mature human type I elastase.

A nucleic acid of the invention may be purified. A “purified” nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA molecule, can be substantially free of other cellular material, or culture medium when produced by recombinant techniques, or substantially free of chemical precursors or other chemicals when chemically synthesized.

In instances wherein the nucleic acid molecule is a cDNA or RNA, e.g., mRNA, molecule, such molecules can include a poly A “tail,” or, alternatively, can lack such a 3′ tail.

A nucleic acid molecule of the invention can be amplified using cDNA, mRNA or genomic DNA as a template and appropriate oligonucleotide primers according to standard PCR amplification techniques. The nucleic acid so amplified can be cloned into an appropriate vector and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, oligonucleotides corresponding to all or a portion of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention can be prepared by standard synthetic techniques, e.g., using an automated DNA synthesizer.

5.3 Recombinant Expression Vectors and Host Cells

Further provided are vectors comprising any of the nucleic acids of the invention or host cells engineered to express the nucleic acids of the invention. In specific embodiments, the vectors comprise a nucleotide sequence which regulates the expression of the protein encoded by the nucleic acid of the invention. For example, the nucleotide sequence encoding the protein of the invention can be operably linked to a methanol-inducible promoter.

Host cells comprising the nucleic acids and vectors of the invention are also provided. In certain embodiments, the vector or nucleic acid is integrated into the host cell genome; in other embodiments, the vector or nucleic acid is extrachromosomal. A preferred host cell is a Pichia pastoris cell.

As used herein, the term “vector” refers to a nucleic acid molecule capable of transporting another nucleic acid to which it has been linked. One type of vector is a “plasmid,” which refers to a circular double-stranded DNA loop into which additional DNA segments can be ligated. Another type of vector is a viral vector, wherein additional DNA segments can be ligated into the viral genome. Certain vectors are capable of autonomous replication in a host cell into which they are introduced (e.g., bacterial vectors having a bacterial origin of replication and episomal mammalian vectors). Other vectors (e.g., non-episomal mammalian vectors) are integrated into the genome of a host cell upon introduction into the host cell, and thereby are replicated along with the host genome. Moreover, certain vectors, expression vectors, are capable of directing the expression of coding sequences to which they are operably linked. In general, expression vectors of utility in recombinant DNA techniques are often in the form of plasmids (vectors).

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention comprise nucleotide sequence encoding a mature elastase, a proelastase or a preproelastase of the invention in a form suitable for expression in a host cell. This means that the recombinant expression vectors include one or more regulatory sequences, selected on the basis of the host cells to be used for expression, which is operably linked to the nucleic acid sequence to be expressed. Within a recombinant expression vector, “operably linked” is intended to mean that the nucleotide sequence of interest is linked to the regulatory sequence(s) in a manner which allows for expression of the nucleotide sequence (e.g., in an in vitro transcription/translation system or in a host cell when the vector is introduced into the host cell). The term “regulatory sequence” is intended to include promoters, enhancers and other expression control elements (e.g., polyadenylation signals). Such regulatory sequences are described, for example, in Goeddel, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185 (Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., 1990). Regulatory sequences include those which direct constitutive expression of a nucleotide sequence in many types of host cells and those which direct expression of the nucleotide sequence only in certain host cells (e.g., tissue-specific regulatory sequences). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the design of the expression vector can depend on such factors as the choice of the host cell to be transformed, the level of expression of elastase protein desired, etc. The expression vectors of the invention can be introduced into host cells to thereby produce elastase proteins encoded by nucleic acids as described herein.

The recombinant expression vectors of the invention can be designed for expression of an elastase protein of the invention in prokaryotic (e.g., E. coli) or eukaryotic cells (e.g., insect cells (using baculovirus expression vectors), yeast cells or mammalian cells). Suitable host cells are discussed further in Goeddel, supra. Alternatively, the recombinant expression vector can be transcribed and translated in vitro, for example using T7 promoter regulatory sequences and T7 polymerase.

Expression of proteins in prokaryotes is most often carried out in E. coli with vectors containing constitutive or inducible promoters directing the expression of either fusion or non-fusion proteins. Fusion vectors add a number of amino acids to a protein encoded therein, usually to the amino terminus of the recombinant protein. Such fusion vectors typically serve three purposes: 1) to increase expression of the recombinant elastase protein; 2) to increase the solubility of the recombinant elastase protein; and 3) to aid in the purification of the recombinant elastase protein by acting as a ligand in affinity purification. Often, in fusion expression vectors, a proteolytic cleavage domain is introduced at the junction of the fusion moiety and the recombinant protein to enable separation of the recombinant protein from the fusion moiety subsequent to purification of the fusion protein. Thus, the fusion moiety and proteolytic cleavage domain together can act as an activation sequence, including a protease recognition site, for recombinant expression of an elastase protein. Enzymes capable of activating such fusion proteins, and their cognate recognition sequences, include Factor Xa, thrombin and enterokinase. Typical fusion expression vectors include pGEX (Pharmacia Biotech Inc.; Smith and Johnson, 1988, Gene 67:31-40), pMAL (New England Biolabs, Beverly, Mass.) and pRIT5 (Pharmacia, Piscataway, N.J.) which fuse glutathione S-transferase (GST), maltose E binding protein, or protein A, respectively, to the target recombinant protein.

Examples of suitable inducible non-fusion E. coli expression vectors include pTrc (Amann et al., 1988, Gene 69:301-315) and pET-1d (Studier et al., 1990, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif., 185:60-89). Target gene expression from the pTrc vector relies on host RNA polymerase transcription from a hybrid trp-lac fusion promoter. Target gene expression from the pET-11d vector relies on transcription from a T7 gn10-lac fusion promoter mediated by a coexpressed viral RNA polymerase (T7 gn1). This viral polymerase is supplied by host strains BL21(DE3) or HMS174(DE3) from a resident λ prophage harboring a T7 gn1 gene under the transcriptional control of the lacUV 5 promoter.

One strategy to maximize recombinant elastase protein expression in E. coli is to express the protein in a host bacteria with an impaired capacity to proteolytically cleave the recombinant protein (Gottesman, 1990, Gene Expression Technology: Methods in Enzymology 185, Academic Press, San Diego, Calif. 185:119-129). Another strategy is to alter the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid to be inserted into an expression vector so that the individual codons for each amino acid are those preferentially utilized in E. coli (Wada et al., 1992, Nucleic Acids Res. 20:2111-2118). Such alteration of nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be carried out by standard DNA synthesis techniques.

In another embodiment, the expression vector is a yeast expression vector. Examples of vectors for expression in yeast S. cerevisiae or P. pastoris include pYepSec1 (Baldari et al, 1987, EMBO J. 6:229-234), pMFa (Kurjan and Herskowitz, 1982, Cell 30:933-943), pJRY88 (Schultz et al., 1987, Gene 54:113-123), pYES2 (Invitrogen Corporation, San Diego, Calif.), and pPicZ (Invitrogen Corp, San Diego, Calif.). For expression in yeast, a methanol-inducible promoter is preferably used. Alteration of the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid to be inserted into an expression vector so that the individual codons for each amino acid are those preferentially utilized in P. pastoris is also contemplated herein. More specifically, the codons of SEQ ID NO:33 or SEQ ID NO:81 can be substituted for codons that are preferentially utilized in P. pastoris.

Alternatively, the expression vector is a baculovirus expression vector. Baculovirus vectors available for expression of proteins in cultured insect cells (e.g., Sf 9 cells) include the pAc series (Smith et al., 1983, Mol. Cell Biol. 3:2156-2165) and the pVL series (Lucklow and Summers, 1989, Virology 170:31-39). Another strategy is to alter the nucleic acid sequence of the nucleic acid to be inserted into an expression vector so that the individual codons for each amino acid are those preferentially utilized in insect cells.

In yet another embodiment, an elastase protein is expressed in mammalian cells using a mammalian expression vector. Examples of mammalian expression vectors include pCDM8 (Seed, 1987, Nature 329(6142):840-2) and pMT2PC (Kaufman et al., 1987, EMBO J. 6:187-195). When used in mammalian cells, the expression vector's control functions are often provided by viral regulatory elements. For example, commonly used promoters are derived from polyoma, Adenovirus 2, cytomegalovirus and Simian Virus 40. For other suitable expression systems for both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells see chapters 16 and 17 of Sambrook et al., supra.

In another embodiment, the recombinant mammalian expression vector is capable of directing expression of the nucleic acid preferentially in a particular cell type (e.g., tissue-specific regulatory elements are used to express the nucleic acid). Tissue-specific regulatory elements are known in the art. Non-limiting examples of suitable tissue-specific promoters include the albumin promoter (liver-specific; Pinkert et al., 1987, Genes Dev. 1:268-277), lymphoid-specific promoters (Calame and Eaton, 1988, Adv. Immunol. 43:235-275), in particular promoters of T cell receptors (Winoto and Baltimore, 1989, EMBO J. 8:729-733) and immunoglobulins (Banerji et al., 1983, Cell 33:729-740; Queen and Baltimore, 1983, Cell 33:741-748), neuron-specific promoters (e.g., the neurofilament promoter; Byrne and Ruddle, 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:5473-5477), pancreas-specific promoters (Edlund et al., 1985, Science 230:912-916), and mammary gland-specific promoters (e.g., milk whey promoter; U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,316 and European Application Publication No. EP264166). Developmentally-regulated promoters are also encompassed, for example the mouse hox promoters (Kessel and Gruss, 1990, Science 249:374-379) and the beta-fetoprotein promoter (Campes and Tilghman, 1989, Genes Dev. 3:537-546).

In certain aspects of the invention, expression of a protein of the invention may be increased by increasing the dosage of the corresponding gene, for example by the use of a high copy expression vector or gene amplification. Gene amplification can be achieved in dihydrofolate reductase-(“dhfr-”) deficient CHO cells by cotransfection of the gene of interest with the dhfr gene and exposure to selective medium with stepwise increasing concentrations of methotrexate. See, e.g., Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology Unit 16.14, (John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1996). An alternative method for increasing gene copy number is to multimerize an expression cassette (e.g., promoter with coding sequence) encoding the elastase protein of interest in a vector prior to introducing the vector into the host cell. Methods and vectors for achieving expression cassette multimerization are known in yeast and mammalian host cell systems (see, e.g., Monaco, Methods in Biotechnology 8 Animal Cell Biotechnology, at pp. 39-348 (Humana press, 1999); Vassileva et al., 2001, Protein Expression and Purification 21:71-80; Mansur et al., 2005, Biotechnology Letter 27(5):339-45. In addition, kits for multi-copy gene expression are commercially available. For example, a multi-copy Pichia expression kit can be obtained from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, Calif.). The multimerization of an expression cassette is exemplified in Example 6, infra.

Accordingly, other aspects of the invention pertain to host cells into which a recombinant expression vector of the invention has been introduced. The terms “host cell” and “recombinant host cell” are used interchangeably herein. It is understood that such terms refer not only to the particular subject cell but to the progeny or potential progeny of such a cell. Because certain modifications may occur in succeeding generations due to either mutation or environmental influences, such progeny may not, in fact, be identical to the parent cell, but are still included within the scope of the term as used herein.

A host cell can be any prokaryotic (e.g., E. coli) or eukaryotic cell (e.g., insect cells, yeast or mammalian cells).

Vector DNA can be introduced into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells via conventional transformation or transfection techniques. As used herein, the terms “transformation” and “transfection” are intended to refer to a variety of art-recognized techniques for introducing foreign nucleic acid into a host cell, including calcium phosphate or calcium chloride co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation. Suitable methods for transforming or transfecting host cells can be found in Sambrook et al. (supra), and other laboratory manuals.

For stable transfection of mammalian cells, it is known that, depending upon the expression vector and transfection technique used, only a small fraction of cells may integrate the foreign DNA into their genome. In order to identify and select these integrants, a coding sequence for a selectable marker (e.g., for resistance to antibiotics) is generally introduced into the host cells along with the open reading frame of interest. Preferred selectable markers include those which confer resistance to drugs, such as G418, hygromycin, zeocin and methotrexate. Cells stably transfected with the introduced nucleic acid can be identified by drug selection (e.g., cells that have incorporated the selectable marker coding sequence will survive, while the other cells die).

In another embodiment, the expression characteristics of an endogenous elastase coding sequence within a cell, cell line or microorganism may be modified by inserting a DNA regulatory element heterologous to the elastase coding sequence into the genome of a cell, stable cell line or cloned microorganism such that the inserted regulatory element is operatively linked with the endogenous gene

A heterologous sequence, containing a regulatory element, may be inserted into a stable cell line or cloned microorganism, such that it is operatively linked with and activates expression of an endogenous elastase gene, using techniques, such as targeted homologous recombination, which are well known to those of skill in the art, and described e.g., in Chappel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,071; PCT publication No. WO 91/06667, published May 16, 1991. The heterologous sequence may further include the signal peptides, cleavage sequences and/or activation sequences of the present invention.

5.4 Methods of Manufacturing Mature Elastase Proteins

A host cell of the invention, such as a prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell in culture, can be used to produce an elastase protein of the invention. Accordingly, the invention further provides methods for producing an elastase protein of the invention using the host cells of the invention. In one embodiment, the method comprises culturing the host cell of invention (into which a recombinant expression vector encoding an elastase protein of the invention has been introduced) in a suitable medium such that the elastase protein is produced. In another embodiment, the method further comprises isolating the elastase protein from the medium or the host cell.

The present invention further provides methods for producing immature elastase proteins of the invention comprising culturing a host cell engineered to express a nucleic acid of the invention under conditions in which the proelastase protein is produced. In certain embodiments, the preproelastase protein is also produced. The present invention further provides methods for producing mature elastase proteins of the invention comprising culturing a host cell engineered to express a nucleic acid of the invention under conditions in which a proelastase protein is produced and subjecting the proelastase protein to activation conditions such that the mature elastase protein is produced.

Preferred culture conditions for producing the immature and mature proteins of the invention, particularly for the host cell Pichia pastoris, include a period of growth at a low pH. In specific embodiments, the low pH is a pH of 2-6, a pH of 2-5, a pH of 3-6, a pH of 3-5, a pH of 4-6, a pH of 3-4 or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values. At the end of the culture period, the pH of the culture can be raised, preferably to a pH of 7-11, most preferably to a pH of 8.

Where the expression of a proelastase protein of the invention is under the control of a methanol-inducible promoter, conditions for producing an immature or mature elastase protein of the invention may also comprise a period of methanol induction.

The elastase production methods of the invention may further comprise the step of recovering the protein expressed by the host cell. In certain instances, the protein recovered is a proelastase, containing the activation sequence. In other instances, the protein recovered is a mature elastase lacking the activation sequence. Under certain conditions, both proelastase and mature elastase proteins are produced. In other instances, the preproelastase is produced.

Preferably, particularly where it is desired to circumvent auto-activation of an auto-activated proelastase, culture conditions for proelastase expression comprise a period of growth in sodium citrate, sodium succinate, or sodium acetate. In specific embodiments, a concentration of about 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 Mm, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 75-175 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or of any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values is used. In a preferred embodiment, the sodium citrate, sodium succinate, or sodium acetate concentration is 90-110 mM, most preferably 100 mM.

Additionally, particularly where it is desired to circumvent protein degradation, culture conditions for proelastase expression comprise a period of growth and induction at the lower end of the temperature range suitable for the host cell in question. For example, where the host cell is a Pichia pastoris host cell, the preferred range is about 22-28° C. In specific embodiments, the Pichia pastoris host cell is cultured at a temperature of about 28° C. The growth and induction need not be performed at the same temperature; for example, in an embodiment where Pichia pastoris is utilized as a host cell, growth can be performed at 28° C. while induction can be performed at 22° C.

The activation of an auto-activated proelastase protein of the invention may be initiated by the addition of extrinsic elastase in a small (catalytic) amount. Alternatively or concurrently, the activation of an auto-activated proelastase protein of the invention may be initiated by raising the pH of the solution containing the auto-activated proelastase protein. The pH is preferably 7-11; in specific embodiments, the solution is at a pH of 7-10, 7-9,8-10, 8-9, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values. In a preferred embodiment, the pH of the solution 7-9, most preferably 8.

In specific embodiments, the auto-activated proelastase may be subjected to Tris base, during the activation step. In specific embodiments, Tris base is added to a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 Mm, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 75-175 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or of any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values. In a preferred embodiment, Tris base is added to a concentration 90-110 mM, most preferably 100 mM. The pH of the Tris base is preferably 7-11; in specific embodiments, the Tris base is at a pH of 7-10, 7-9, 8-10, 8-9, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values. In a preferred embodiment, the Tris base is at a pH of 7-9, most preferably 8.

In certain aspects of the invention, the temperature for elastase autoactivation is ambient temperature, e.g., a temperature ranging from 22° C. to 26° C. In certain embodiments, the elastase activation step is preferably performed with the proelastase at a low initial concentration, e.g., 0.1-0.3 mg/ml, for optimal accuracy of the cleavage reaction and minimal formation of N-terminal variants.

In certain embodiments of the invention, addition of catalytic amounts of elastase is not required to convert the auto-activated proelastase to mature elastase, as the proelastase can undergo autoproteolysis. In certain embodiments, the rate of autoproteolysis is concentration independent. Without seeking to be limited by theory, it is believed that concentration independent autoproteolysis of certain auto-activated proelastase proteins is mediated via an intramolecular process where the proelastase molecule cleaves itself via an intramolecular reaction. However, in other embodiments, activation of the auto-activated proelastase is concentration dependent. Without seeking to be limited by theory, it is believed that concentration dependent autoproteolysis of certain auto-activated proelastase proteins is mediated via an intermolecular reaction where proelastase is cleaved by another proelastase and/or by a mature elastase. In still other embodiments, certain auto-activated elastase proproteins display a combination of concentration dependent and concentration independent activation. In those instances where auto-activation is concentration dependent, the proprotein can be maintained in a more dilute form to reduce activation if desired. Activation of elastase proproteins comprising the elastase propeptide cleavage domain of SEQ ID NO:55 that include but are not limited to the proprotein of SEQ ID NO:69 can be controlled by maintaining such proproteins in a dilute form.

It is also recognized that certain undesirable N-terminal sequence variants of mature elastase can accumulate in the course of producing mature elastase proteins of this invention. More specifically, proelastase proteins containing the SEQ ID NO:42 elastase propeptide cleavage domain that include the proprotein of SEQ ID NO:6 can yield N-terminal sequence variants where cleavage has occurred at the peptide bond that is C-terminal to any of the residues at positions P3 or P2. However, the occurrence of such undesirable N-terminal variants can be reduced by placing certain amino acids in certain locations in the activation sequence. For example, when a proline in present in the P2 position, the production of N-terminal variants with one or two additional N-terminal amino acids is reduced or eliminated. Also, elimination of the need for trypsin for activation reduces or eliminates the production of the variant that lacks nine N-terminal residues. Additionally, the occurrence of undesirable N-terminal variants can be reduced or eliminated by conducting the activation reaction under certain conditions.

More specifically, in certain embodiments activation conditions include an “extended conversion” step during which N-terminal variants produced during the initial portion of the conversion reaction are subsequently selectively degraded. The relative amounts of protein species during “extended conversion” can be monitored in real-time by HIC-HPLC. The selective degradation of undesired N-terminal variants increases the proportion of full-length, mature PRT-201 in the conversion reaction and reduces the proportion of N-terminal variants. For proelastase proteins containing the SEQ ID NO:55 elastase propeptide cleavage domain, the extended conversion step is performed for 4 to 8 hours, and preferably about 6 hr. For other proelastase proteins, the extended conversion step may be increased or decreased, depending on the proportion of N-terminal variants relative to mature (full length) elastase immediately after all of the proelastase has been converted. When the conversion occurs in complex media, such as fermentation broth, the period of extended conversion may be increased due to competition at the active site of mature elastase by other proteins and peptides in solution. Alternatively, a mixture of mature elastase and N-terminal variant elastase can be recovered from the complex media prior to the extended conversion step, thereby reducing the active site competition and the time required to remove the N-terminal variant species.

As mentioned above, during a conversion reaction for pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU, there is a side-reaction that leads to the production of N-terminal variants. In the specific case of pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU, these N-terminal variants are missing the first two valines and have little or no elastase activity. For other mutant pro-proteins there are additional N-terminal variants produced, some with additions and others with different deletions. An N-terminal removal step has been developed which reduces the N-terminal variants to a range of 0-2%. The development of this removal step evolved from a variety of experiments and observations. As mentioned previously, during optimization of conversion condition experiments with pro-PRT-201-42 it was observed that longer conversion reactions often led to a very low percentage of N-terminal variants. It was subsequently determined that the longer conversion reactions allowed mature PRT-201 to selectively degrade N-terminal variants. The discovery of PRT-201's ability to selectively degrade N-terminal variants under certain conditions had a tremendous benefit by helping to produce a more purified PRT-201 product with less N-terminal variants. This N-terminal variant removal step was implemented into a large scale production process by establishing conditions that would allow the pro-PRT-201 to convert to mature PRT-201 and then allow the PRT-201 to degrade the N-terminal variants.

A representative example of such a step is shown in FIG. 10 as it was monitored in real-time by HIC-HPLC. At approximately 50 minutes, the 100% pro-PRT-201-55M3 had completely converted to approximately 86% mature PRT-201 and 14% N-terminal variants. The conversion reaction was extended which allowed mature PRT-201 to selectively degrade the N-terminal variants resulting in a decrease of variants from 14% to 2%. With longer incubations, the N-terminal variants can be selectively degraded to an undetectable level. When the N-terminal variant level is sufficiently low, the activity of PRT-201 is suppressed with sodium citrate and adjustment of the reaction pH to 5.0.

Once purified mature elastase has been obtained, the active enzyme can be brought into a solution at which the elastase protein is relatively inactive and placed into a buffer for further column chromatography, e.g., cation exchange chromatography, purification steps. In general, the elastase protein can be placed in sodium citrate at a concentration of about 5 to 25 mM and a pH of about 2 to 5. In a specific embodiment, the elastase is placed in 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5. The eluted fractions are then optionally analyzed by one, more than one, or all of the following methods: (1) spectrophotometry at A280 to determine concentration, (2) SDS-PAGE to assess purity, (3) activity assay, e.g., SLAP assay, to assess elastase specific activity, and (4) HIC-HPLC to detect mature elastase and N-terminal variants, and fractions with suitable characteristics (e.g., acceptable specific activity, acceptably low levels (preferably absence) of detectable glycoforms, and acceptably low levels (preferably absence) of detectable N-terminal variants) are pooled.

Once purified mature elastase has been obtained, the active enzyme can be brought into a suitable solution for lyophilization. In general, the elastase protein can be placed into a buffer of 1× phosphate buffered saline (“PBS”) (137 mM sodium chloride, 10 mM sodium phosphate, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate pH 7.4) prior to lyophilization. In certain embodiments, the elastase protein can be placed into a buffer of 0.1×PBS (13.7 mM sodium chloride, 1.0 mM sodium phosphate, 0.27 mM potassium phosphate pH 7.4) prior to lyophilization.

Expression of a proelastase sequence can in some instances yield a mixture of proelastase and mature elastase proteins. Thus, the present invention provides a composition comprising both a proelastase protein and a mature elastase protein.

5.5 Pharmaceutical Compositions

The mature elastase proteins of the invention can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions suitable for administration. Such compositions typically comprise the elastase protein and pharmaceutically inert ingredients, for example a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. As used herein the language “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” is intended to include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents, and the like, compatible with pharmaceutical administration. Also contemplated as pharmaceutically inert ingredients are conventional excipients, vehicles, fillers, binders, disintegrants, solvents, solubilizing agents, and coloring agents. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with a mature elastase protein, use thereof in the compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active compounds can also be incorporated into the compositions.

Accordingly, certain aspects of the present invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions. In specific embodiments, the present invention provides a composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of a mature human type I elastase and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The mature human type I elastase that can be used in the composition include but are not limited to the proteins of SEQ ID NO:1, 4, 5, 84, 87. The mature human type I elastase may contain any of the combinations of polymorphisms set forth in Table 3 above.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of mature human type I elastase (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which pharmaceutical composition is free of trypsin, or fragments of trypsin. In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of trypsin or fragments of trypsin. As used herein, the phrase “free of trypsin” refers to a composition in which trypsin is not used in any portion of the production process. As used herein, the phrase “substantially free of trypsin” refers to a composition wherein trypsin is present at a final percent (i.e., weight trypsin/total composition weight) of no more than about 0.0025% or more preferably, less than about 0.001% on a weight/weight basis. As used herein, the phrase “free of,” trypsin refers to a composition in which the variant is undetectable, e.g., by means of an enzymatic assay or ELISA.

In certain aspects, a composition of the invention has less trypsin activity than the equivalent of 3 ng/ml of trypsin as measured by a BENZ assay, preferably less trypsin activity than the equivalent of 2.5 ng/ml of trypsin as measured by a BENZ assay, and even more preferably less trypsin activity than the equivalent of 2 ng/ml of trypsin as measured by a BENZ assay. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of elastase protein in which the trypsin activity is the equivalent of less than 1.6 ng/ml of trypsin as measured by a BENZ assay. Examples of elastase compositions with less trypsin activity than the equivalent of 1.6 ng/ml of trypsin as measured by a BENZ assay are provided in Example 8 below. In certain embodiments, the ng/ml trypsin activity can be assayed in a liquid human type I elastase composition or preparation containing 1 mg/ml human type I elastase protein. Thus, the trypsin activities may also be described in terms of milligrams of elastase protein, for example, less than 3 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein, less than 1.56 ng trypsin activity/mg elastase protein, etc.

The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions that are either free or substantially free of undesirable N-terminal variants of mature elastase. Undesirable N-terminal variants include, but are not limited to, variants produced by cleavage at the peptide bond that is C-terminal to any of the residues at the P5, P4, P3, P2, P′1, P′2, P′3, P′4, P′6, and/or P′9 positions. Certain undesirable N-terminal variants are produced by trypsin activation; others are produced by autoactivation of proelastase sequences that do not contained optimized activation sequences.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is free or substantially free of one, more than one or all N-terminal variants of mature elastase that include but are not limited to SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 37, 38, 70, 71, 85, 86, 94, 95, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of mature human type I elastase (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which pharmaceutical composition is free or substantially free of any protein with SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 37, 38, 70, 71, 85, 86, 94, 95, 104, 105, 106, 107, or 108. In other embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of N-terminal variants of mature elastase that include but are not limited to SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 37, 38, 70, 71, 85, 86, 94, 95, 104, 105, 106, 107, or 108. As used herein, the phrase “free of” a particular variant refers to a composition in which the variant is undetectable, e.g., by means of cation exchange HPLC assay, hydrophobic interaction HPLC assay, or mass spectrometry combined with liquid chromatography. As used herein, the phrase “substantially free” refers to a composition wherein the N-terminal variant is present at a final percent (i.e. weight N-terminal variant/total composition weight) of at least less than about 0.5%. In certain preferred embodiments, the composition that is substantially free of N-terminal variant is a composition where the concentration of N-terminal variant is less than about 0.1% or less than about 0.01% or, more preferably, even less than about 0.001% on a weight/weight basis. In certain aspects, the presence of N-terminal variants is detected by means of cation exchange HPLC assay, hydrophobic interaction HPLC assay, or mass spectrometry combined with liquid chromatography.

In certain specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition that is free of N-terminal variants of SEQ ID NO:70, 71, 104 and 105 is produced by activation of a proelastase which does not contain an arginine in the P1 position and/or an alanine in the P2 position.

In other embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of mature human type I elastase (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which pharmaceutical composition is substantially free of bacterial proteins and/or is substantially free of mammalian proteins other than said mature human type I elastase. As used herein, the phrase “substantially free of mammalian proteins” or “substantially free of bacterial proteins” refers to a composition wherein such proteins are present at a final percent (i.e. weight mammalian proteins (other than elastase and, optionally, a carrier protein such as albumin) or bacterial proteins/total composition weight) of at least less than about 0.5%. In certain preferred embodiments, the composition that is substantially free of such proteins is a composition where the concentration of the undesirable protein is less than about 0.1% or less than about 0.01%, or, more preferably, even less than about 0.001% on a weight/weight basis.

In certain aspects, a pharmaceutical composition that is “free of mammalian proteins” (other than elastase) contains elastase that is produced from a recombinant cell line that is not a mammalian cell and where no protein with a mammalian sequence or substantially a mammalian sequence is present in any portion of the production process. In certain aspects, a pharmaceutical composition that is “free of bacterial proteins” contains elastase that is produced from a recombinant cell line that is not a bacterial cell and where no protein with a bacterial sequence or substantially a bacterial sequence is present in any portion of the production process.

The mature human type I elastases (including variants) of the invention are most preferably purified for use in pharmaceutical compositions. In specific embodiments, the elastases are at least 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% pure. In other specific embodiments, the elastases are up to 98%, 98.5%, 99%, 99.2%, 99.5% or 99.8% pure.

For formulating into pharmaceutical compositions, the mature human type I elastases of the invention preferably have a specific activity of greater than greater than 1, greater than 5, greater than 10, greater than 20, greater than 25, or greater than 30 U/mg of protein, as determined by measuring the rate of hydrolysis of the small peptide substrate N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Ala-pNitroanilide (SLAP), which is catalyzed by the addition of elastase. One unit of activity is defined as the amount of elastase that catalyzes the hydrolysis of 1 micromole of substrate per minute at 30° C. and specific activity is defined as activity per mg of elastase protein (U/mg). Preferably, a pharmaceutical composition comprises a mature human type I elastase which has a specific activity within a range in which the lower limit is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 20 U/mg protein and in which the upper limit is, independently, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 50 U/mg protein. In exemplary embodiments, the specific activity is in the range of 1-40 U/mg of protein, 1-5 U/mg protein, 2-10 U/mg protein, 4-15 U/mg protein, 5-30 U/mg of protein, 10-20 U/mg of protein, 20-40 U/mg of protein, or any range whose upper and lower limits are selected from any of the foregoing values.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are preferably stable. In specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition (for example a pharmaceutical composition prepared by lyophilization above) maintains at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, and most preferably at least 70% of its specific activity after a week, more preferably after a month, yet more preferably after 3 months, and most preferably after 6 months of storage at 4° C. In specific embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition maintains at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90% or at least 95% of its specific activity after a week, more preferably after a month, yet more preferably after 3 months, and most preferably after 6 months of storage at 4° C.

A pharmaceutical composition of the invention is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Methods for administering elastases to treat or prevent diseases of biological conduits are described in WO 2001/21574; WO 2004/073504; and WO 2006/036804. The most preferred route of administration is parenteral, for example direct administration to the vessel wall, including local administration to the external adventitial surface of surgically exposed vessels and local administration to the vessel wall using a drug delivery catheter. Solutions or suspensions used for parenteral administration can include the following components: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, phosphate buffered saline solution, sugars such as sucrose or dextrans, fixed oils, polyethylene glycols, glycerine, propylene glycol, polysorbate-80 (also known as tween-80), or other synthetic solvents; antibacterial agents such as methyl parabens; antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium bisulfite; chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; buffers such as phosphates and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. pH can be adjusted with acids or bases, such as hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide. The parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampules, disposable syringes or single or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic. The parenteral preparation can also be enclosed in a drug delivery catheter. In all cases, the composition must be sterile.

In specific embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention is a liquid formulation comprising one or more of the following excipients: dextrose (e.g., 2-10% w/v); lactose (e.g., 2-10% w/v); mannitol (e.g., 2-10% w/v); sucrose (e.g., 2-10% w/v); trehalose (e.g., 2-10% w/v); ascorbic acid (e.g., 2-10 mM); calcium chloride (e.g., 4-20 mM); dextran-70 (e.g., 2-10% w/v); poloxamer 188 (e.g., 0.2-1% w/v); polysorbate-80 (e.g., 0.001-5% w/v, more preferably 0.1-5%); glycerin (e.g., 0.2-5% w/v); arginine (e.g., 2-10% w/v); glycine (e.g., 2-10% w/v); dextran-44 (e.g., 2-10% w/v); and dextran-18 (e.g., 2-10% w/v). In certain embodiments, the concentration, singly or in the aggregate, of dextrose, lactose, mannitol, sucrose, trehalose, dextran-70, glycerin, arginine, glycine, dextran-44 or dextran-18 is within a range in which the lower limit is 2.5, 4, 5, or 7% w/v and in which the upper limit is, independently, 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10% w/v.

A liquid formulation can be made by adding water to a dry formulation containing a mature elastase protein, one or more buffer reagents and/or one or more excipients. The dry formulation can be made by lyophilizing a solution comprising mature elastase protein, one or more buffer reagents, and/or one or more excipients.

A liquid formulation can be made, for example, by reconstituting lyophilized elastase proteins of the invention with sterilized water or a buffer solution. Examples of a buffer solution include sterile solutions of saline or phosphate-buffered saline. In a specific embodiment, after reconstitution of a dry formulation comprising mature elastase protein to the desired protein concentration, the solution contains approximately 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 10 mM sodium phosphate (a phosphate buffered saline concentration that is considered 1×) and the pH of the solution is approximately 7.4. In certain aspects, the dry formulation comprising mature elastase protein also contains sodium, chloride, and phosphate ions in amounts such that only water is needed for reconstitution.

A liquid formulation can be also be made, for example, by reconstituting lyophilized elastase proteins with a buffer solution containing one or more excipients. Examples of excipients include polysorbate-80 and dextran. In a specific embodiment, after reconstitution of a dry formulation comprising mature elastase protein to the desired protein concentration, the resulting solution contains approximately 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 10 mM sodium phosphate, 0.01% polysorbate-80, and the pH of the solution is approximately 7.4. The one or more excipients can be mixed with the mature elastase protein before lyophilization or after lyophilization but before reconstitution. Thus, in certain aspects, the dry formulation comprising mature elastase protein also contains excipients such as polysorbate-80 or dextran.

In certain aspects, the present invention provides a liquid formulation comprising: 0.001-50 mg/ml of mature elastase protein in a solution of 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 10 mM sodium phosphate and comprising 5-10%, more preferably 6-9%, of an excipient selected from dextrose, lactose, mannitol, sucrose, trehalose, dextran-70, glycerin, arginine, glycine, dextran-44 or dextran-18.

In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid formulation comprising: 0.001-50 mg/ml of mature elastase protein in a solution of 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 10 mM sodium phosphate with a pH of 7.4.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid formulation comprising: 0.001-50 mg/ml of mature elastase protein in a solution of 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 10 mM sodium phosphate and comprising 0.01% polysorbate-80, with a pH of 7.4.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid formulation comprising: 0.001-50 mg/ml of mature elastase protein in a solution of 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 10 mM sodium phosphate and comprising 0.01% polysorbate-80 and 8% dextran-18, with a pH of 7.4.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention provides a liquid formulation comprising: 0.001-50 mg/ml of mature elastase protein in a solution of 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, 10 mM sodium phosphate and comprising 8% dextran-18, with a pH of 7.4.

The liquid formulations of the invention preferably contain a final concentration of mature elastase proteins within a range in which the lower limit is 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 or 20 mg/ml and in which the upper limit is, independently, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, or 1500 mg/ml.

In certain aspects, the present invention provides a liquid formulation comprising: 0.0001-500 mg/ml (more preferably 1-100 mg/ml, and yet more preferably 0.5-20 mg/ml) of mature elastase protein in a solution of 0.5×PBS-1.5×PBS (more preferably 1×PBS), the solution comprising 5-10% (more preferably 6-9%) of an excipient selected from dextrose, lactose, mannitol, sucrose, trehalose, dextran-70, glycerin, arginine, glycine, dextran-44 or dextran-18 and having a pH of 6.5-8.5. In a specific embodiment, the liquid formulation comprises 0.5 mg/ml mature elastase protein and 8% dextran-18 in 1×PBS, pH 7.4. In a specific embodiment, the liquid formulation comprises 5 mg/ml mature elastase protein and 8% dextran-18 in 1×PBS, pH 7.4.

A liquid formulation of the invention preferably has an osmolality within a range in which the lower limit is 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 250 or 275 mOsm/kg and in which the upper limit is, independently, 500, 450, 400, 350, 325, 300, 275 or 250 mOsm/kg. In specific embodiments, the osmolarity of a liquid formulation of the invention preferably has an osmolality of approximately 125 to 500 mOsm/kg, more preferably of approximately 275 to 325 mOsm/kg, for example as measured by the freezing point depression method.

It is especially advantageous to formulate parenteral compositions, such as compositions that can be made into the liquid formulations of the invention, in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used herein refers to physically discrete units suited as unitary dosages for the subject to be treated; each unit containing a predetermined quantity of mature elastase protein calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier.

As defined herein, a therapeutically effective amount of mature elastase protein (i.e., an effective dosage) ranges from about 0.0033 mg-200 mg. For vessels with smaller diameter and thinner walls, such as those in a radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula, smaller doses (such as of 0.0033 mg-2.0 mg) are preferable. For vessels with a larger diameter and thicker walls such as femoral arteries, larger doses (such as 2.05-100 mg) are preferable.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter. In still other embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter together with instructions for administration. Instructions for administration can be included in printed form either within or upon a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter. Alternatively, instructions for administration can be included either within or upon a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter in the form of a reference to another printed or internet accessible document that provides the instructions.

In certain embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser. In still other embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions can be included in a container, pack, or dispenser together with instructions for administration. Instructions for administration can be included in printed form either within or upon a container, pack, or dispenser. Alternatively, instructions for administration can be included either within or upon a container, pack, or dispenser in the form of a reference to another printed or internet accessible document that provides the instructions.

The invention includes methods for preparing pharmaceutical compositions. Once a mature elastase is produced according to the invention, it can be lyophilized and stored until it is reconstituted into a pharmaceutical formulation suitable for administration. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a method of isolating a lyophilized mature human type I elastase comprising: (a) culturing a host cell, such as a Pichia pastoris host cell, engineered to express a nucleic acid molecule encoding a preproelastase open reading frame under conditions in which the open reading frame is expressed, wherein said open reading frame comprises nucleotide sequences encoding, in a 5′ to 3′ direction (i) a signal peptide operable in Pichia pastoris; (ii) an activation sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence; and (iii) the sequence of a mature type I elastase protein, thereby producing a proelastase protein; (b) subjecting the proelastase protein to autoactivation conditions, thereby producing a mature type I elastase, wherein the autoactivation conditions include, for example: (i) changing the pH of a solution containing the proelastase protein, e.g., to a pH of 6.5-11, preferably 8-9; or (ii) purifying the proelastase protein, for example, by ion exchange chromatography, and subjecting the solution extended conversion to remove N-terminal variants, thereby producing mature human type I elastase; (c) optionally, purifying the mature human type I elastase, e.g., ion exchange chromatography step for polish chromatography; and (d) lyophilizing the mature type I elastase, thereby isolating a lyophilized mature human type I elastase. The mature type I elastase is preferably a human type I elastase. In certain aspects, the lyophilized mature type I elastase is preferably more than 95% pure; in specific embodiments, the lyophilized mature type I elastase is more than 98% or more than 99% pure.

The mature elastase proteins of the invention can be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions. Thus, in an exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a method of generating a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature human type I elastase, said method comprising (i) isolating a lyophilized mature human type I elastase according to the methods described above (e.g., in Section 5.4); and (ii) reconstituting the lyophilized mature human type I elastase in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

5.6 Effective Dose

The present invention generally provides the benefit of parenteral, preferably local, administration of recombinant elastase proteins, alone or in combination with other agents, for treating or preventing disease in biological conduits.

In certain embodiments, as an alternative to parenteral administration, oral administration of agents for treating or preventing disease in biological conduits may be used.

Toxicity and therapeutic efficacy of the elastase proteins utilized in the practice of the methods of the invention can be determined by standard pharmaceutical procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals, e.g., for determining the LD50 (the dose lethal to 50% of the population) and the ED50 (the dose therapeutically effective in 50% of the population). The dose ratio between toxic and therapeutic effects is the therapeutic index and it can be expressed as the ratio LD50/ED50. Such information can be used to more accurately determine useful doses in humans.

5.7 Methods of Administration

The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising novel elastase proteins and methods of use thereof for preventing or treating disease in biological conduits. Such pharmaceutical compositions can be formulated in a conventional manner as described in Section 5.5 above.

The elastase compositions of the present invention can be administered to the desired segment of the biological conduit being treated by a device known to one of skill in the art to be acceptable for delivery of solutions to the wall of an artery or vein, e.g., a syringe, a drug delivery catheter, a drug delivery needle, an implanted drug delivery polymer, such as a sheet or microsphere preparation, an implantable catheter, or a polymer-coated vascular stent, preferably a self-expanding stent.

In certain embodiments, the administration to the desired segment may be guided by direct visualization, ultrasound, CT, fluoroscopic guidance, MRI or endoscopic guidance.

In certain aspects of the present invention, administration of an elastase to a biological conduit comprises applying a liquid formulation of elastase directly to the external adventitial surface of a surgically exposed artery or vein. In specific aspects of this invention, the administration is performed with a syringe.

In certain aspects of the present invention, administration of an elastase to a biological conduit comprises localizing a delivery apparatus in close proximity to the segment of the biological conduit to be treated. In some embodiments, during delivery of the elastase protein by a delivery apparatus, a portion of the delivery apparatus can be inserted into the wall of the biological conduit. In some embodiments, the lumen of the biological conduit can be pressurized while the elastase protein is delivered to the pressurized segment of the biological conduit. In some embodiments, the lumen of the biological conduit is pressurized by mechanical action. In some embodiments, the lumen of the biological conduit is pressurized with a balloon catheter. In some embodiments, pressure is applied to the inner wall of the biological conduit by a self-expanding member which is part of a catheter or device. In some embodiments, the elastase protein is administered and the pressurizing is performed by the same device. In some embodiments, the biological conduit is surgically exposed and the elastase protein is delivered into the lumen or is applied to the external surface of the biological conduit in vivo. In embodiments involving luminal delivery, blood flow through the vessel may be stopped with a clamp or to allow the elastase to contact the vessel wall for longer time periods and to prevent inhibition of the elastase by serum. In some embodiments, the biological conduit is surgically removed and the elastase is delivered to the luminal surface and/or to the external surface of the conduit in vitro. The treated conduit may then, in certain embodiments, be returned to the body.

In other aspects of the present invention, administration of an elastase to a biological conduit entails the use of a polymer formulation that is placed as a stent within the vessel to be treated, a clamp or strip applied to the external surface of the biological conduit, or a wrap on or around the vessel to be treated, or other device in, around or near the vessel to be treated.

In yet other aspects of the present invention, an elastase is percutaneously injected into a tissue region for purpose of dilating arteries and/or vein within that region, including collateral arteries. In other aspects, an elastase is percutaneously injected directly into the wall of an artery or vein or into the surrounding tissues for the purpose of dilating a specific segment of vessel. In embodiments aimed at treatment of heart vessels, an elastase protein can be either percutaneously delivered to the pericardial space or directly applied to surgically exposed coronary vessels.

Medical devices that can be used to administer the elastase proteins of the invention to blood vessels are described in Section 5.9 below.

5.8 Kits

The present invention provides kits for practicing the methods of the present invention. A “therapeutic” kit of the invention comprises in one or more containers one or more of the agents described herein as useful for treating or preventing disease in biological conduits, optionally together with any agents that facilitate their delivery. An alternative kit of the invention, the “manufacturing” kit, comprises in one or more containers one or more of the agents described herein as useful for making recombinant elastase proteins.

The therapeutic kit of the invention may optionally comprise additional components useful for performing the methods of the invention. By way of example, the therapeutic kit may comprise pharmaceutical carriers useful for formulating the agents of the invention. The therapeutic kit may also comprise a device or a component of a device for performing the therapeutic methods of the invention, for example a syringe or needle. The inclusion of devices such as an intramural or perivascular injection catheters or intraluminal injection catheters in the therapeutic kits is also contemplated. In certain embodiments, the agents of the invention can be provided in unit dose form. In addition or in the alternative, the kits of the invention may provide an instructional material which describes performance of one or more methods of the invention, or a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, use or sale for human administration. Instructional materials can be included in printed form either within or upon one or more containers of the kit. Alternatively, instructional materials can be included either within or upon one or more containers of the kit in the form of a reference to another printed or internet accessible document that provides the instructional materials.

In specific embodiments, a kit of the invention comprises a medical device as described in Section 5.9 below.

The manufacturing kit of the invention may optionally comprise additional components useful for performing the methods of the invention.

5.9 Medical Devices Useful for Administration of Elastase Proteins

Provided herein are medical devices that can be used to administer the elastase proteins of the present invention to a biological conduit, such as an artery or vein. Such devices are described below and in provisional application No. 61/025,084, filed Jan. 31, 2008, provisional application No. 61/025,463, filed Feb. 1, 2008, and provisional application No. 61/075,710, filed Jun. 25, 2008, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The elastase proteins of the present invention can also be administered to biological conduits via conventional catheters.

In one embodiment, a medical device useful for administration of elastase proteins has a central longitudinal axis, and comprises one or more actuators, wherein the one or more actuators can exist in a constrained configuration in which a length of said one or more actuators is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said medical device and an unconstrained configuration in which at least a portion of the length of said one or more actuators is oriented substantially non-parallel to the device's central longitudinal axis. After the device is positioned at a target site adjacent to the wall of a biological conduit, one or more actuators (and if desired, all of the actuators) may be released from a constrained configuration and permitted to adopt an unconstrained configuration, thereby making contact with the wall of the biological conduit. The one or more actuators may be of any shape, and in preferred embodiments, the movement of the one or more actuators from the constrained configuration to the unconstrained configuration occurs upon release of a constraining force by the device operator but without the input by the operator of any deforming forces to the device or the target tissue.

In a first specific embodiment, shown in FIG. 22, the device is a fluid delivery catheter 10 comprising one or more actuators that are formed as a pair of elongate splines 12, 14, the intermediate regions of which are movable between a constrained configuration which is oriented substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis 15 of the catheter assembly and an unconstrained configuration in which at least a portion of the pair of splines is oriented substantially non-parallel to said central longitudinal axis (see the left L and right R portions of the spline lengths in FIG. 23). The one or more splines 12, 14 may be constructed as elongate bands or wires that each have opposite proximal and distal ends. In a preferred embodiment, the splines have flat, opposing interior surfaces 24, 26, and flat opposite facing exterior surfaces 28, 30. In this embodiment, the splines 12, 14 can translate between constrained positions and unconstrained positions, as shown respectively in FIGS. 22 and 23. In one embodiment, the pair of splines is positioned back-to-back in their constrained configurations as shown in FIG. 22.

The catheter 10 further comprises one or more tissue penetrators 16, 18 secured to one or more surfaces of the one or more splines 12, 14, a central catheter component 20 having an elongate length, and an exterior catheter component 22 that can shield the tissue penetrator or penetrators during catheter movement within the biological conduit.

The tissue penetrators 16, 18 may be constructed of any suitable material. Preferred examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, nickel, aluminum, steel and alloys thereof. In a specific embodiment, the tissue penetrators are constructed of nitinol.

The central catheter component 20 and the exterior catheter component 22 may be constructed of materials typically employed in constructing catheters. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, silicone, polyurethane, nylon, Dacron, and PEBAX™

The actuators are preferably constructed of a flexible, resilient material. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible, resilient material is capable of being constrained upon the application of a constraining force, e.g., when the actuators are in the constrained configuration, and adopts its original unconstrained shape when the constraining force is removed, e.g., when the actuators are in the unconstrained configuration. Any such flexible, resilient material can be used, including but not limited to surgical steel, aluminum, polypropylene, olefinic materials, polyurethane and other synthetic rubber or plastic materials. The one or more actuators are most preferably constructed of a shape memory material. Examples of such shape memory materials include, but are not limited to, copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel alloys, copper-aluminum-nickel alloys, and nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys. In a preferred embodiment, the shape memory material is nitinol. In a preferred embodiment, when the pair of splines assumes the unconstrained configuration, the shape memory properties of the material from which each spline is formed cause the splines, without the application of any external deforming force, to bow radially away from each other in a single plane as shown in FIG. 23.

One or more of the splines (and preferably each of the splines) has a flexible fluid delivery conduit 32, 34 that extends along the length of the spline, or within the spline, as shown in FIG. 24. As the splines 12, 14 move from their straight, constrained configurations to their bowed, unconstrained configurations, the fluid delivery conduits 32, 34 also move from straight configurations to bowed configurations. In one embodiment, the fluid delivery conduits 32, 34 are separate tubular conduits that are secured along the lengths of the pair of splines 12, 14. In another embodiment, the fluid delivery conduits are conduits formed into or within the material of the splines.

One or more of the splines (and preferably each of the splines 12,14) is also formed with a zipper rail 36, 38 that extends along a length of the spline (FIG. 24). The zipper rails 36, 38 are formed of either the same material as the splines 12, 14, or a material that flexes with the splines 12, 14.

One or more of the tissue penetrators 16, 18 is secured to the exterior surfaces 28, 30 of the pair of splines 12, 14 (FIG. 24). The tissue penetrators 16, 18 are connected to and communicate with the fluid delivery conduits 32, 34 that extend along the lengths of the splines 12, 14. The tissue penetrators 16, 18 are positioned to project substantially perpendicular from the exterior surfaces 28, 30 of the splines 12, 14. The tissue penetrators 16, 18 have hollow interior bores that communicate with the fluid delivery conduits 32, 34 of the splines. The distal ends of the tissue penetrators have fluid delivery ports that communicate with the interior bores of the tissue penetrators.

The device permits delivery of fluids into or through one or more distinct layers of a wall of a biological conduit, for example a vascular wall. The vascular wall comprises numerous structures and layers, including the endothelial layer and basement membrane layer (collectively the intimal layer), the internal elastic lamina, the medial layer, and the adventitial layer. These layers are arranged such that the endothelium is exposed to the lumen of the vessel and the basement membrane, the internal elastic lamina, the media, and the adventitia are each successively layered over the endothelium, as described in U.S. Pat. App. Publication No. 2006/0189941A1. With the medical devices of the present invention, the depth to which the tissue penetrators 16, 18 can penetrate is determined by the length of each tissue penetrator 16, 18. For example, if the target layer is the adventitial layer, tissue penetrators 16, 18 having a defined length sufficient for penetration to the depth of the adventitial layer upon deployment of the device are used. Likewise, if the target layer is the medial layer, tissue penetrators 16, 18 having a defined length sufficient for penetration to the depth of the medial layer upon deployment of the device are used.

In specific embodiments, the length of tissue penetrators 16, 18 may range from about 0.3 mm to about 5 mm for vascular applications, or up to about 20 mm or even 30 mm for applications involving other biological spaces or conduits, for example in colonic applications. Tissue penetrators 16, 18 preferably have a diameter of about 0.2 mm (33 gauge) to about 3.4 mm (10 gauge), more preferably 0.2 mm to 1.3 mm (about 33 to 21 gauge). The distal tips of the tissue penetrators may have a standard bevel, a short bevel, or a true short bevel. In an alternative embodiment, the tissue penetrators attached to any one spline are not of identical lengths, but may be configured such that their distal ends align so as to be equidistant from the wall of the biological conduit when the medical device is in the unconstrained position, e.g., during use.

The central catheter component 20 has an elongate length with opposite proximal and distal ends, shown to the left and right respectively in FIG. 22. In one embodiment, the central catheter component 20 has a cylindrical exterior surface that extends along its elongate length. The proximal ends of the splines 12, 14 are attached e.g., soldered or glued, to the distal end of the central catheter component 20, while the distal ends of the splines 12, 14 are attached, e.g., soldered or glued, to a catheter guide tip 40. The tip 40 has a smooth exterior surface that is designed to move easily in the biological conduit. A guide wire bore 48 extends through the length of the central catheter 20 and tip 40. The guide wire bore is dimensioned to receive a guide wire in sliding engagement through the bore.

A pair of fluid delivery lumens 44, 46 extends through the interior of the central catheter component 20 for the entire length of the catheter component (FIG. 25). At the distal end of the central catheter component 20 the pair of fluid delivery lumens 44, 46 communicates with the pair of fluid delivery conduits 32, 34 that extend along the lengths of the splines 12, 14 to the tissue penetrators 16, 18. A guide wire bore 48 also extends through the interior of the central catheter component 20 from the proximal end to the distal end of the central catheter component (FIG. 25). The proximal end of the central catheter component 20 is provided with a pair of Luer hubs 50, 52 (FIG. 22). In one embodiment, each Luer hub 50, 52 communicates with one of the fluid delivery lumens 44, 46 extending through the length of the central catheter. Each Luer hub 50, 52 is designed to be connected with a fluid delivery source to communicate a fluid through each Luer hub 50, 52, then through each fluid delivery lumen 44, 46 extending through the central catheter component 20, then through each fluid delivery conduit 32, 34 extending along the lengths of the pair of splines 12, 14, and then through the tissue penetrators 16, 18 secured to each of the pair of splines. In another embodiment, each Luer hub 50, 52 independently communicates with both of the fluid delivery lumens 44, 46 extending through the length of the central catheter component. In this configuration, a first fluid can be delivered through a first Luer hub to both tissue penetrators 16, 18 and a second fluid can be delivered through a second Luer hub to both tissue penetrators 16, 18. Delivery of fluid to both tissue penetrators from each Luer hub can be achieved by an independent conduit extending from each Luer hub to a distal common reservoir 61 as shown in FIG. 32. This reservoir communicates with both tissue penetrators 16, 18. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the medical device of the instant invention comprises only a single Luer hub connected to a single fluid delivery lumen extending through the central catheter, which then is attached to a distal common reservoir, permitting the delivery of a single fluid to both tissue penetrators 16, 18.

The exterior catheter component 22 has a tubular configuration that surrounds the pair of splines 12, 14 and a majority of the central catheter 20 (FIG. 22). The catheter component 22 has an elongate length that extends between opposite proximal and distal ends of the catheter component shown to the left and right, respectively in FIG. 22. The catheter component distal end is dimensioned to engage in a secure engagement with the guide tip 40, where the exterior surface of the tip 40 merges with the exterior surface of the catheter component 22 when the catheter component distal end is engaged with the tip. The tubular configuration of the catheter component 22 is dimensioned so that an interior surface of the catheter component 22 is spaced outwardly of the plurality of tissue penetrators 16, 18 on the pair of splines 12, 14 in the constrained positions of the pair of splines. The proximal end of the central catheter 20 extends beyond the proximal end of the catheter component 22 when the catheter component distal end engages with the catheter guide tip 40.

A mechanical connection 54 is provided between the exterior catheter component 22 proximal end and the central catheter component 20 proximal end that enables the exterior catheter component to be moved rearwardly along the lengths of the pair of splines 12, 14 and the central catheter component 20 causing the exterior catheter component 22 distal end to separate from the guide tip 40 and pass over the pair of splines 12, 14, and forwardly over the length of the central catheter component 20 and over the lengths of the pair of splines 12, 14 to engage the exterior catheter component 22 distal end with the tip 40 (FIG. 22). The mechanical connection 54 could be provided by a handle or button that manually slides the exterior catheter component 22 over the central catheter component 20. The connection 54 could also be provided by a thumbwheel or trigger mechanism. In addition, the connection 54 could be provided with an audible or tactile indicator (such as clicking) of the incremental movement of the exterior catheter component 22 relative to the central catheter component 20.

In one embodiment, the exterior catheter component 22 is provided with a single zipper track 56 that extends along the entire length of one side of the exterior catheter component 22 on the interior surface of the exterior catheter component (FIG. 24). The zipper track 56 in the interior of the exterior catheter component 22 engages in a sliding engagement with the zipper rails 36, 38 at one side of each of the splines 12, 14. Advancing the exterior catheter component 22 forwardly along the lengths of the central catheter component 20 and the pair of splines 12, 14 toward the guide tip 40 of the catheter assembly causes the zipper track 56 of the exterior catheter component to slide along the rails 36, 38 of the pair of splines 12, 14. This moves the pair of splines 12, 14 from their bowed, unconstrained configuration shown in FIG. 23 toward their back-to-back, constrained configuration shown in FIG. 22. The engagement of the spline rails 36, 38 in the zipper track 56 of the exterior catheter component 22 holds the pair of splines 12, 14 in their back-to-back relative positions shown in FIG. 22. With the exterior catheter component 22 pushed forward over the central catheter component 20 and the pair of splines 12, 14 to where the distal end of the exterior catheter component 22 engages with the guide tip 40, the tissue penetrators 16, 18 are covered and the catheter assembly of the present invention can be safely moved forward or backward in a biological conduit. The exterior catheter component 22 covers the tissue penetrators 16, 18 projecting from the pair of splines 12, 14 and the engagement of the exterior catheter component 22 with the distal guide tip 40 provides the catheter assembly with a smooth exterior surface that facilitates the insertion of the catheter assembly into and through a biological conduit such as a blood vessel. In another embodiment, the exterior catheter component 22 is provided with two zipper tracks at 180 degrees from each other that extend along the entire length of the exterior catheter component 22 on the interior surface and the splines have rails on both sides.

A guide wire 58 is used with the catheter assembly (FIG. 22). The guide wire 58 extends through the central catheter component guide wire bore 48, along the splines 12, 14, and through the guide tip outlet 42. In certain embodiments, the guide wire 58 has a solid core, e.g., stainless steel or superelastic nitinol. The guide wire may be constructed of radiopaque material, either in its entirety or at its distal portions (e.g., the most distal 1 mm to 25 mm or the most distal 3 mm to 10 mm). The guide wire 58 may optionally be coated with a medically inert coating such as TEFLON®.

In use of this device, the guide wire 58 is positioned in the biological conduit by methods well known in the art. The guide wire 58 extends from the biological conduit, through the guide wire outlet 42 in the tip 40 of the assembly, through the exterior shielding catheter 22 past the tissue penetrators 16, 18, and through the guide wire bore 48 of the central catheter 20. In other embodiments, the catheter assembly is a rapid-exchange catheter assembly, wherein the guide wire lumen is present in the distal end of the guide tip 40 of the catheter, but does not extend throughout the entire length of the medical device.

After positioning of the guide wire, the device is advanced into the biological conduit along the previously positioned guide wire 58. One or more radiopaque markers may optionally be provided on the device to monitor the position of the device in the biological conduit. Any material that prevents passage of electromagnetic radiation is considered radiopaque and could be used. Preferred radiopaque materials include, but are not limited to, platinum, gold, or silver. The radiopaque material can be coated on the surface of all or a part of the tip 40, on all or part of the splines 12, 14 or other actuators, on the guide wire 58, or on some combination of the foregoing structures. Alternatively, a ring of radiopaque material can be attached to the tip 40. The device may optionally be provided with onboard imaging, such as intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography. The tip of the device may optionally be provided with optics that are used to determine the position of the device or characteristics of the surrounding biological conduit.

When the device is at its desired position in the biological conduit, the operator uses mechanical connection 54 to retract the exterior catheter component 22 rearwardly away from the guide tip 40. In a preferred embodiment, as the exterior catheter component 22 is withdrawn from over the tissue penetrators 16, 18, the zipper track 56 of the exterior catheter component 22 is withdrawn over the rails 36, 38 of the pair of splines 12, 14. This movement releases the pair of splines 12, 14 from their constrained, back-to-back configuration shown in FIG. 22, and allows the shape memory material of the splines 12, 14 to adopt their unconstrained, bowed configurations shown in FIG. 23. As the splines 12, 14 move to their unconstrained, bowed configurations, the splines come into contact with the inner surface of the wall(s) of the biological conduit and the tissue penetrators 16, 18 on the exterior surfaces 28, 30 of the splines 12, 14 are pressed into the interior surface of the biological conduit at the position of the device.

After the tissue penetrators 16, 18 have entered the desired layer of the wall of a biological conduit, a fluid can be delivered through the fluid delivery lumens 44, 46 in the central catheter component 20, through the fluid delivery conduits 32, 34 on the pair of splines 12, 14, and through the tissue penetrators 16, 18. When the delivery of the fluid is complete, the operator uses the mechanical connection 54 to move the exterior catheter component 22 (which may also be referred to as a shielding component) forward over the central catheter component 20 and over the pair of splines 12, 14 toward the guide tip 40. As the exterior catheter component 22 moves forward over the pair of splines 12, 14, the zipper track 56 on the interior of the exterior catheter component 22 passes over the rails 36, 38 on the pair of splines 12, 14, causing the splines 12, 14 to move from their unconstrained, bowed configuration back to their constrained configuration. When the exterior catheter component 22 has been entirely advanced over the pair splines 12, 14 and again engages with the guide tip 40, the zipper track 56 in the exterior catheter component 22 holds the splines 12, 14 in their constrained configuration. The device then can be repositioned for release at another location in the biological conduit or another biological conduit, or withdrawn from the body.

The shape and length of the splines 12, 14 are selected such that various embodiments of the device can be used in biological spaces or conduits of various sizes or diameters. In certain embodiments, the splines may be flat or rounded. Flat splines preferably have a width ranging from about 0.2 mm to about 20 mm, a height ranging from about 0.2 mm to about 5 mm, and a length ranging from about 10 mm to about 200 mm, depending on the particular application. Rounded splines preferably have a diameter ranging from about 0.2 mm to about 20 mm and a length ranging from about 10 mm to about 200 mm, depending on the particular application. In specific embodiments, flat splines are 3.5 mm to 5 mm, 5 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 15 mm, 15 mm to 20 mm in width, or any range therewithin (e.g., 3.5 mm to 10 mm); 3.5 mm to 5 mm, 5 mm to 10 mm. 10 mm to 15 mm, 15 mm to 20 mm in height, or any range therewithin (e.g., 3.5 mm to 10 mm); and 10 mm to 20 mm, 20 mm to 40 mm, 40 mm to 80 mm, 80 mm to 120 mm, 120 mm to 150 mm or 150 to 200 mm in length, or any range therewithin (e.g., 10 mm to 40 mm), or any permutation of the foregoing (e.g., a width of 5 mm to 10 mm, a height or 3.5 to 5 mm, and a length of 20 to 40 mm). In other embodiments, rounded splines are 3.5 mm to 5 mm, 5 mm to 10 mm, 10 mm to 15 mm, 15 mm to 20 mm in diameter, or any range therewithin (e.g., 3.5 mm to 10 mm) and 10 mm to 20 mm, 20 mm to 40 mm, 40 mm to 80 mm, 80 mm to 120 mm, 120 mm to 150 mm or 150 to 200 mm in length, or any range therewithin (e.g., 10 mm to 40 mm), or any permutation of the foregoing (e.g., a diameter of 5 mm to 10 mm and a length of 20 to 40 mm).

In a second specific embodiment, shown in FIG. 27, the device of the present invention is a fluid delivery catheter 110 comprising a central catheter component 112 having an elongate length with a longitudinal axis 113, one or more (and preferably two) flexible, resilient actuators that, in this specific embodiment, are formed as tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 that extend from the distal portion of the central catheter component 112. At least a portion of the tissue presentation tubes 114, 116 are movable between a constrained configuration which is oriented substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis 113 of the catheter assembly and an unconstrained configuration which is oriented substantially non-parallel to the central longitudinal axis 113 of the catheter.

The catheter further comprises one or more (and preferably two) flexible, elongate tissue penetrators 118, 120 that extend through the two tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116, and an exterior deployment tube 122 that extends over portions of the lengths of the central catheter component 112, the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116, and the middle rail 132.

The central catheter component 112 and the exterior deployment tube 122 may be constructed of any materials suitable for constructing catheters. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, silicone, polyurethane, nylon, Dacron, and PEBAX™.

The tissue penetrators 118, 120 connect to respective hubs 166, 168 (FIG. 31). One or more of the pair of tissue penetrators 118, 120 preferably has a diameter of about 0.2 mm (33 gauge) to about 3.4 mm (10 gauge), more preferably 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm (about 18 to 21 gauge). One or more of the pair of tissue penetrators may have a standard bevel, a short bevel or a true short bevel. The pair of tissue penetrators 118, 120 are preferably constructed of materials that allow the tissue penetrators to flex along their lengths. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, nickel, aluminum, steel and alloys thereof. In a specific embodiment, the tissue penetrators are constructed of nitinol. The full length of the tissue penetrators 118, 120 can be constructed of a single material, or the distal ends (e.g., the distal 1 mm to the distal 20 mm), including the tips 156, 158, of the tissue penetrators 118, 120 may be constructed of one material and connected to the respective hubs 166, 168 via a tubing constructed of a different material, e.g., plastic.

One or more of the pair of tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 is preferably constructed of a flexible, resilient material. Such flexible, resilient material can be deformed, e.g., when the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 are in the straight, constrained configuration of FIG. 27, but returns to its original shape when the deformation force is removed, e.g., when the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 are in the curved, unconstrained configuration shown in FIG. 28. Any such flexible, resilient material can be used, including but not limited to surgical steel, aluminum, polypropylene, olefinic materials, polyurethane and other synthetic rubber or plastic materials. The pair of tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 is most preferably constructed of a shape memory material. Examples of such shape memory materials include, but are not limited to, copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel alloys, copper-aluminum-nickel alloys, and nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys. In a preferred embodiment, the shape memory material is nitinol.

The central catheter component 112 has a flexible elongate length with opposite proximal 124 and distal 126 ends (FIG. 27). The distal end 126 of the central catheter component is formed as a guide tip that has an exterior shape configuration that will guide the distal end 126 through a biological conduit. A guide wire bore 128 within middle rail 132 extends through the center of the central catheter 112 from the proximal end 124 to the distal end 126. The guide wire bore 128 receives a flexible, elongate guide wire 130 for sliding movement of the bore 128 over the wire (FIG. 29). The guide wire 130 is used to guide the catheter assembly through a biological conduit. In certain embodiments, the guide wire 130 has a solid core, e.g., stainless steel or superelastic nitinol. The guide wire may optionally be constructed of radiopaque material, either in its entirety or at its distal portions (e.g., the most distal 1 mm to 25 mm or the most distal 1 mm to 3 mm). The guide wire 130 may optionally be coated with a medically inert coating such as TEFLON®. In other embodiments, the catheter assembly is a rapid-exchange catheter assembly wherein a guide wire is positioned on the distal end of the guide tip 126 and extends therefrom.

A narrow middle rail 132 surrounding the guide wire bore 128 extends from the guide tip of the catheter distal end 126 toward the catheter proximal end 124. The middle rail 132 connects the guide tip 126 to a base portion 138 of the central catheter component.

The central catheter component base portion 138 has a cylindrical exterior surface that extends along the entire length of the base portion. The base portion 138 extends along a majority of the overall length of the central catheter component 112. As shown in FIG. 29, the guide wire bore 128 extends through the center of the central catheter component base portion 138. In addition, a pair of tissue penetrator lumens 140, 142 also extend through the length of the central catheter component base portion 138 alongside the guide wire bore 128. At the proximal end 124 of the central catheter component, a pair of ports 144, 146 communicate the pair of lumens 140, 142 with the exterior of the central catheter component 112 (FIG. 27).

In an alternative embodiment, the medical device of FIG. 27 also may comprise a single flexible, resilient actuator that is formed as a tissue penetrator presentation tube, a single flexible, elongate tissue penetrator that extends through the tissue penetrator presentation tube and connects to a hub, and an exterior deployment tube that extends over portions of the lengths of the central catheter component, the tissue penetrator presentation tube, and the middle rail.

The pair of first and second tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 project from the catheter central component base portion 138 toward the catheter distal end 126. Each of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes is formed as a narrow, elongate tube having a proximal end that is secured to the central catheter component base portion 138, and an opposite distal end 148, 150. Each of the first and second tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 has an interior bore 152, 154 that communicates with the respective first tissue penetrator lumen 140 and second tissue penetrator lumen 142 in the central catheter component base portion 138.

As shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the exterior configurations of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 are matched to the middle rail 132 so that the lengths of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 may be positioned side-by-side on opposite sides of the middle rail 132. The tissue penetrator tube distal ends 148, 150 can be formed as guide tip surfaces that also facilitate the passage of the catheter through a vascular system. The tissue penetrator tube distal ends 148, 150 are preferably larger in diameter than the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116. In a specific embodiment, the tissue penetrator tube distal tips 148, 150 are rounded and bulbous tips. Such tips are atraumatic and the tubes will not inadvertently puncture the wall of a biological conduit. The tips 148, 150 are exposed and do not extend outwardly beyond the diameter of the guide tip 126.

Each of the tissue penetrator tubes 114, 116 is preferably constructed of a shape memory material, such as nitinol. The tubes 114, 116 are formed with curved, unconstrained configurations shown in FIG. 28. The tubes 114, 116 move to the curved, unconstrained configurations shown in FIG. 28 when no constraining force is applied against the tubes. In order for the presentation tubes 114, 116 to lie in straight, constrained configurations along the middle rail 132, a constraining force must be applied to the tubes to keep them in their straight, constrained positions shown in FIG. 27. As each of the tubes 114, 116 moves from its straight, constrained configuration shown in FIG. 28 to its curved, unconstrained configuration shown in FIG. 28, the tissue penetrator bores 152, 154 extending through the tubes also move from straight configurations to curved configurations.

The pair of tissue penetrators 118, 120, from their distal tips to the hubs 166, 168, have lengths that are slightly longer than the combined lengths of the tissue penetrator lumens 140, 142 extending through the central catheter base portion 138 and the tissue penetrator bores 152, 154 extending through the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116. The tips 156, 158 of the tissue penetrators 118, 120 are positioned adjacent to the distal ends 148, 150 of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 and are positioned inside of the bores 152, 154 of the tubes in the constrained configuration of FIG. 27. The opposite, proximal ends of the tissue penetrators 118, 120 project out through the side ports 144, 146 of the central catheter 112. The pair of tissue penetrators 118, 120 are dimensioned to easily slide through the tissue penetrator lumens 140, 142 of the central catheter component 112 and the tissue penetrator bores 152, 154 of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116. The side ports 144, 146 of the central catheter component 112 are preferably at 20° to 90° angles to the central catheter proximal end 124, most preferably at 30° to 60° angles to the central catheter proximal end 124.

A pair of manual operator movement to linear movement controllers 162, 164 can be connected to the proximal ends of the tissue penetrators 118, 120 and can be secured to the central catheter ports 144, 146 (FIG. 31). The controllers 162, 164 can be constructed to convert operator movement into controlled linear movement of the tissue penetrators 118, 120 through the central catheter tissue penetrator lumens 140, 142 and through the tissue penetrator presentation tube bores 152, 154. In one embodiment, there are rotating controllers 162, 164 that can be manually moved in one direction, such that the tissue penetrator injection tips 156, 158 at the tissue penetrator distal ends can be adjustably positioned to extend a desired length out from the tissue penetrator tube bores 152, 154 at the tissue penetrator tube distal ends 148, 150. By rotating the controllers in the opposite direction, the tissue penetrators 118, 120 can be retracted back into the tissue penetrator tube bores 152, 154. Each of the operator movement to linear movement controllers 162, 164 can be provided with a hub 166, 168 that communicates with the interior bore extending through the tissue penetrators 118, 120 and can be used to connect a syringe or tubing containing a solution of a diagnostic or therapeutic agent.

The exterior deployment tube 122 has a tubular length that surrounds the central catheter 112, the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116, and the middle rail 132. The deployment tube 122 can be mounted on the central catheter component 112 and the pair of tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 for sliding movement to a forward position of the deployment tube 122 where an open distal end 172 of the deployment tube is positioned adjacent the distal ends 148, 150 of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 as shown in FIG. 27, and a rearward position of the deployment tube 122 where the tube distal end 172 is positioned adjacent to the connection of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 with the central catheter component 112 as shown in FIG. 28. The opposite proximal end 174 of the deployment tube 122 can be provided with a mechanical connection 176 to the central catheter 112. The mechanical connection 176 enables the deployment tube 122 to be moved between its forward and rearward positions relative to the central catheter 112 and the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 (FIGS. 27 and 28). Such a connection could be provided by a thumbwheel, a sliding connection, a trigger or push button or some other connection that is manually operable to cause the deployment tube 122 to move relative to the central catheter 112 and the presentation tubes 114, 116. When the deployment tube 122 is moved to its forward position shown in FIG. 27, the tube distal end 172 passes over the lengths of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 and moves the presentation tubes to their constrained positions extending along the opposite sides of the central catheter middle rail 132. When the deployment tube 122 is moved to its rearward position shown in FIG. 28, the distal end 172 of the deployment tube is retracted from over the length of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 and gradually allows the presentation tubes 114, 116 to release their constrained energy and move to their curved, unconstrained configurations shown in FIG. 28.

In use of the catheter 110, the deployment tube 122 is in the forward position shown in FIG. 27. The guide wire 130 is positioned in a biological conduit (such as an artery or vein) in a known manner. The catheter is then advanced into the biological conduit over the guide wire. The guide wire 130 extends from the biological conduit, and enters the central catheter component distal end 126 through the guide wire lumen 128. The wire 130 passes through the length of the central catheter 112 and emerges at the proximal end of the central catheter component adjacent to the catheter ports 144, 146, where the guide wire 130 can be manually manipulated.

The catheter 110 can be advanced through the biological conduit and can be guided by the guide wire 130. Radiopaque markers may optionally be provided on the assembly to monitor the position of the assembly in the biological conduit. Any material that prevents passage of electromagnetic radiation is considered radiopaque and may be used. Useful radiopaque materials include, but are not limited to, platinum, gold, or silver. The radiopaque material can be coated on the surface of all or a part of the tip 126, on all or part of the presentation tubes 114, 116, on all or part of the tissue penetrators 118, 120, on the guide wire 130, or on any combination of the foregoing structures. Alternatively, a ring of radiopaque material can be attached to the tip 126. The assembly may optionally be provided with onboard imaging, such as intravascular ultrasound or optical coherence tomography. The tip of the assembly may optionally be provided with optics that are useful for determining the position of the assembly or the characteristics of the surrounding biological conduit. When the assembly is at a desired position, the exterior deployment tube 122 can be moved from its forward position shown in FIG. 27 toward its rearward position shown in FIG. 28 by manual manipulation of the mechanical connection 176.

As the deployment tube 122 is withdrawn from over the pair of tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116, the constrained energy of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 is released and the tubes move toward their unconstrained, curved configurations shown in FIG. 28. This movement positions the tissue penetrator bores 152, 154 at the tissue penetrator tube distal ends 148, 150 against the interior surfaces of the biological conduit into which the assembly 110 has been inserted.

The operator movement to linear movement controllers 162, 164 then can be manually operated to extend the tissue penetrator distal ends 156, 158 from the tissue penetrator bores 152, 154 at the tissue penetrator presentation tube distal ends 148, 150. A gauge may be provided on each of the operator movement to linear movement controllers 162, 164 that provides a visual indication of the extent of the projection of the tissue penetrator tips 156, 158 from the tissue penetrator tube ends 148, 150 as the controllers 162, 164 are rotated. The controllers also could provide an audible sound or tactile feel such as clicking to indicate incremental distance steps of the tissue penetrator movements. This deploys the tissue penetrator tips 156, 158 a desired distance into the walls of the biological conduit.

In a third specific embodiment, a medical device of the instant invention is a fluid delivery catheter comprising one or more tissue penetrators constructed of a flexible, resilient material. In certain aspects, the medical device of the present invention has a central longitudinal axis, and comprises one or more tissue penetrators, wherein the one or more tissue penetrators can exist in a constrained configuration in which a length of said one or more tissue penetrators is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said medical device and an unconstrained configuration in which at least a portion of the length of said one or more tissue penetrators is oriented substantially non-parallel to the device's central longitudinal axis. After the device is positioned at a target site adjacent to the wall of a biological conduit, one or more tissue penetrators (and if desired, all of the tissue penetrators) may be released from a constrained configuration and permitted to adopt an unconstrained configuration, thereby making contact with the wall of the biological conduit. The one or more tissue penetrators may be of any shape, and in preferred embodiments, the movement of the one or more tissue penetrators from the constrained configuration to the unconstrained configuration occurs upon release of a constraining force by the device operator but without the input by the operator of any deforming forces to the device or the target tissue.

In a preferred embodiment, tissue penetrators are constructed of flexible, resilient material that is capable of being constrained upon the application of a constraining force, e.g., when the tissue penetrators are in the constrained configuration, and adopts its original unconstrained shape when the constraining force is removed, e.g., when the tissue penetrators are in the unconstrained configuration. Any such flexible, resilient material can be used, including but not limited to surgical steel, aluminum, polypropylene, olefinic materials, polyurethane and other synthetic rubber or plastic materials. The one or more tissue penetrators are most preferably constructed of a shape memory material. Examples of such shape memory materials include, but are not limited to, copper-zinc-aluminum-nickel alloys, copper-aluminum-nickel alloys, and nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys. In a preferred embodiment, the shape memory material is nitinol. In a preferred embodiment, when the tissue penetrators assume the unconstrained configuration, the shape memory properties of the material from which each tissue penetrator is formed cause the tissue penetrators, without the application of any external deforming force, to move from a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the medical device to a position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the medical device.

In a preferred embodiment, the tissue penetrators are maintained in the constrained configuration by an exterior catheter component having a tubular configuration that surrounds the tissue penetrators. A mechanical connection is provided between the exterior catheter component and the central catheter component to which the tissue penetrators are attached. The mechanical connection enables the exterior catheter component to be moved rearwardly along the length of the central catheter component, thereby uncovering the constrained one or more tissue penetrators and permitting the one or more tissue penetrators to assume an unconstrained configuration wherein they make contact with the target delivery site. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that this specific embodiment may be readily adapted to incorporate radiopaque markers to facilitate positioning of the device or rapid-exchange features to facilitate the use of the device.

The medical device of the present invention, in its various embodiments, permits delivery of fluids into distinct layers of a vascular wall. The vascular wall consists of numerous structures and layers, structures and layers, including the endothelial layer and the basement membrane layer (collectively the intimal layer), the internal elastic lamina, the medial layer, and the adventitial layer. These layers are arranged such that the endothelium is exposed to the lumen of the vessel and the basement membrane, the intima, the internal elastic lamina, the media, and the adventitia are each successively layered over the endothelium as described in U.S. Pat. App. Publication No. 2006/0189941A1. With the medical devices of the present invention, the depth to which the tissue penetrator tips 156, 158 can penetrate into the target tissue can be controlled by rotating the controllers 162, 164. For example, if the target layer is the adventitial layer, the constrained energy of the tubes 114, 116 is released, the tubes adopt their unconstrained, curved configurations shown in FIG. 28, and the tissue penetrator tips 156, 158 are advanced with the controllers to a length sufficient for penetration to the depth of the adventitial layer. Likewise, if the target layer is the medial layer, the constrained energy of the tubes 114, 116 is released, the tubes adopt their unconstrained, curved configurations shown in FIG. 28, and the tissue penetrator tips 156, 158 are advanced with the controllers to a length sufficient for penetration to the depth of the medial layer.

With the tissue penetrators embedded in the desired layer of the wall of the biological conduit, a fluid can then be delivered through the tissue penetrators 118, 120. When the delivery of the fluid is complete, the controllers 162, 164 can be operated to withdraw the tissue penetrator tips 156, 158 back into the interior bores 152, 154 of the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116. The deployment tube 122 can then be moved to its forward position where the deployment tube distal end 172 moves the tissue penetrator presentation tubes 114, 116 back to their constrained positions shown in FIG. 27. When the deployment tube 122 has been moved to its full forward position shown in FIG. 27, the assembly can then be repositioned or withdrawn from the body.

The medical device of the instant invention also permits delivery of fluids to plaque deposits on the inside of the wall of the biological conduit or within the wall of the biological conduit.

The medical device of the instant invention also permits delivery of fluids to extracellular spaces or tissues located outside of the outer wall of the biological conduit (e.g., to the exterior surface of a blood vessel or to muscle positioned against the outer surface of vessel such as myocardium).

One advantageous feature of the devices of the present invention is that the actuators, by virtue of their design, make contact with less than the complete circumference of the inner wall of a biological conduit following their deployment therein. In preferred embodiments, the actuators make contact with less than 100% of the circumference of the inner wall of a biological conduit in which they are deployed. More preferably, the actuators make contact with less than 75%, 50% or 25% of the circumference of the inner wall of a biological conduit in which they are deployed. Most preferably, the actuators make contact with less than 10%, 5%, 2.5%, 1%, 0.5% or 0.1% of the circumference of the inner wall of a biological conduit in which they are deployed.

The devices can be used to deliver fluids comprising a variety of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents to a wall of a biological conduit. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to proteins, chemicals, small molecules, cells and nucleic acids. A therapeutic agent delivered by the device may either comprise a microparticle or a nanoparticle, be complexed with a microparticle or a nanoparticle, or be bound to a microparticle or a nanoparticle. Protein agents include elastases, antiproliferative agents, and agents that inhibit vasospasm. The use of the devices for delivery of an elastase is specifically contemplated. Several published patent applications (WO 2001/21574; WO 2004/073504; and WO 2006/036804) teach that elastase, alone and in combination with other agents, is beneficial in the treatment of diseases of biological conduits, including obstruction of biological conduits and vasospasm. Diagnostic agents include, but are not limited to, contrast, microparticles, nanoparticles or other imaging agents.

A variety of distinct fluid delivery methods can be practiced with the device. In certain applications, distinct fluids can be delivered through each tissue penetrator of the device either simultaneously or sequentially. In other applications, the same fluid can be delivered through both tissue penetrators either simultaneously or sequentially. Embodiments and/or methods where a first fluid is delivered through both tissue penetrators followed by delivery of a second fluid through both tissue penetrators are also contemplated.

Methods of using the devices to deliver fluids into or through a wall of a biological conduit are also specifically contemplated. These methods comprise the steps of introducing the device into the biological conduit, advancing the device to a target site within the conduit, releasing the actuators from their constrained positions, optionally advancing the tissue penetrators through lumens in the actuators to penetrate to a desired depth into the wall of a biological conduit, delivering at least one fluid into or through the wall, optionally returning the tissue penetrators back into the lumens of the actuators, retracting the actuators to their constrained position, repositioning the device in the same or a different conduit for the delivery of additional fluid if so desired, and removing the device from the conduit.

6. EXAMPLES

This section describes methods of production of recombinant type I elastase for clinical use, for example as an agent to enlarge the diameter of blood vessels and thereby the lumen of blood vessels. Human type I pancreatic elastase displays 89% amino acid identity across the entire length of the porcine type I pancreatic elastase, with complete conservation of the “catalytic triad” and substrate specificity determining residues. Porcine type I elastase is initially synthesized as an enzymatically inactive proenzyme that is activated by trypsin to yield the mature enzyme that contains four internal disulfide bonds and no glycosylation (see Shotton, 1970, Methods Enzymol 19:113-140, Elastase; and Hartley and Shotton, 1971, Biochem. J. 124(2): 289-299, Pancreatic Elastase. The Enzymes 3:323-373 and references therein).

The examples below demonstrate the development of efficient and scalable recombinant porcine and human type I elastase expression and purification schemes suitable for cGMP manufacture of these enzymes for non-clinical and clinical studies, and commercial pharmaceutical use. The mature porcine elastase has been given the name PRT-102. The mature human type I elastase has been given the name PRT-201.

6.1 Terminology and Abbreviations

As used herein, the terms PRT-101, PRT-102, PRT-201 and pro-PRT-201 shall mean the following:

PRT-101: porcine pancreatic elastase. Unless otherwise indicated, the porcine pancreatic elastase employed in the examples is highly purified porcine pancreatic elastase purchased from Elastin Products Company, Inc, Owensville, Mo., catalog #EC134.

PRT-102: mature recombinant type I porcine pancreatic elastase. It should be noted that vectors with the designation “pPROT101-XXX” encode PRT-102.

PRT-201: mature recombinant type I human pancreatic elastase.

pro-PRT-201: proenzyme form of recombinant human type I pancreatic elastase containing a propeptide sequence.

The following abbreviations are used in Section 6 of the application:

BKGY: buffered glycerol-complex medium

BKME: buffered methanol-complex medium

CHO: Chinese hamster ovary

E. coli: Escherichia coli

ELA-1: type I pancreatic elastase

HEK: human embryonic kidney

hELA-1: human ELA-1

HIC: hydrophobic interaction chromatography

MBP: maltose binding protein

pELA-1: porcine ELA-1

P. pastoris: Pichia pastoris

PCR: polymerase chain reaction

PMSF: phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride

RP: reversed phase

S. cerevisiae: Saccharomyces cerevisiae

SDS-PAGE: sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

SEC: size exclusion chromatography

USP: United States Pharmacopeia

YPDS: yeast extract peptone dextrose sorbitol medium

6.2 Example 1 Elastase DNA Synthesis

The human elastase-1 coding sequence was obtained from U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,205 (Takiguichi et al, 1992). Several sequence changes were made to facilitate cloning into expression vectors (FIG. 1A). The base changes fell within the degeneracy of the genetic code so that no amino acid residues were changed. A second stop codon was added immediately after the native stop codon to minimize potential ribosome read through.

The modified coding sequence was synthesized by Blue Heron Biotechnology (Bothell, Wash.) using a non-PCR “long oligo” technique under license from Amgen (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). The recombinant DNA, named ELA-1.2A (SEQ ID NO: 81), was cloned into the vector Blue Heron pUC, a derivative of pUC119, and the resulting plasmid was named pPROT1. pPROT1 was sequenced on both strands to confirm the correct sequence. High quality sequencing data with extensive overlap on both strands permitted unambiguous base assignments across the entire sequence, which was covered by a minimum of four sequencing reactions with at least one reaction for each strand.

6.3 Example 2 Expression of PRT-201 in E. coli

A variety of expression strategies were attempted in an effort to obtain soluble and enzymatically active human elastase in E. coli.

One set of E. coli expression vectors comprised in frame fusions of human type I pancreatic elastase (ELA-1) to the carboxy terminus of a Maltose Binding Protein (MBP) that was in turn fused to an N-terminal secretory peptide. Both the human ELA-1 mature and proenzyme coding sequences were cloned as in-frame C-terminal fusions to the MBP coding sequence of plasmid pMAL-p2G (New England Biolabs, Inc., Beverly, Mass.) to yield either pPROT3 (mature ELA-1) or pPROT5 (ELA-1 proenzyme). Construction of pPROT3 was effected by first obtaining by PCR mutagenesis a 6.6 kb mature human ELA-1 encoding fragment with a SnaBI site at the N-terminal valine codon of mature human ELA-1 and a HindIII site located 3′ to the mature ELA-1 termination codons. This PCR mutagenesis used a pPROT1 template comprising the ELA-1.2A coding sequence (SEQ ID NO:81) and two oligonucleotide primers (5′ ATC TAC GTA GTC GGA GGG ACT GAG GCC, SEQ ID NO:75; and 5′ gtc gac aag ctt atc agt tgg agg cga t, SEQ ID NO:76). The resultant 6.6 kb PCR fragment was isolated, digested with SnaBI and HindIII, and subsequently cloned into the XmaI/HindIII digested pMAL-p2G vector to yield pPROT3. Construction of pPROT5 was effected by cloning the ScaI/HindIII fragment from pPROT1 and ligating into the pMAL p2G vector that had been digested with SnaBI and HindIII. The resultant fusion operably links the N-terminus of the human ELA-1 proenzyme coding region to the C-terminus of the MBP of pMAL-p2G in pPROT5. The trypsin cleavage domain of the human ELA-1 proprotein is preserved in pPROT5.

E. coli strain TB1 was transformed with pPROT3 and pPROT5 and subsequently induced with IPTG to determine if either the fusion protein or enzymatically active human ELA-1 could be produced. In the case of pPROT3, all of the MBP-ELA-1 fusion protein produced was insoluble. No soluble or enzymatically active MBP-ELA-1 fusion protein was detected in the periplasmic material obtained by osmotic shock of induced pPROT3-containing E. coli. In the case of pPROT5, low levels of soluble recombinant MBP-proELA-1 protein could be detected in the periplasmic material obtained by osmotic shock of induced pPROT5-containing E. coli through use of SDS-PAGE and Coomassie stain or by use of anti-MBP antibodies on a Western blot (New England Biolabs, Inc., Beverly, Mass.). The soluble recombinant MBP-proELA-1 protein could be digested with trypsin to yield both MBP and mature human ELA-1. Mature human ELA-1 obtained from inductions of pPROT5 was subsequently assayed for elastase activity with SLAP peptide substrate. Elastase activity was observed in pPROT5 periplasmic extracts. This elastase enzymatic activity was dependent on trypsin activation (i.e., no activity was observed in absence of trypsin and amount of activity is increased by increasing the time period of trypsin activation). Moreover, the elastase activity was dependent on pPROT5 in as much as no activity was observed in pMAL-p2G vector control extracts treated in parallel with trypsin. Finally, the pPROT5 elastase activity was inhibited by PMSF (a known serine protease inhibitor).

The recombinant MBP-proELA-1 fusion protein was subsequently purified and cleaved with trypsin to obtain an enzymatically active pPROT5-derived mature human ELA-1. The fusion protein was first purified on amylose affinity chromatography followed by elution with maltose. The purified MBP-proELA-1 was then treated with immobilized trypsin. Following the trypsin activation step, the cleaved MBP-proELA-1 was purified by cationic SP Sepharose chromatography. However, subsequent experiments with affinity purified pPROT5-derived mature human ELA-1 indicated that only very limited amounts of soluble and enzymatically active elastase could be obtained from E. coli containing pPROT5. Moreover, the specific activity of the affinity purified, pPROT5-derived mature human ELA-1 was very low, ranging from 0.27 to 0.38 U/mg (U=micromole of SLAP substrate hydrolyzed per min).

An alternative strategy of obtaining soluble and enzymatically active ELA-1 in E. coli was also pursued. In brief, the pPROT8 vector that encodes a protein fusion comprising the first 8 amino acid residues of the E. coli lacZ alpha subunit plus 5 amino acids of poly linker encoded residues followed by the human ELA-1 N-terminal proenzyme was constructed. This vector was constructed by ligating a BamHI/NcoI fragment containing the human ELA-1 coding sequence from pPROT1 (i.e., a vector containing the ELA-1.2A sequence; SEQ ID NO: 81) into pBlueHeron pUC (Blue Heron Biotechnology, Bothell, Wash., USA) that was digested with BamHI/NcoI.

E. coli strain EC100 (EPICENTRE Biotechnologies, Madison, Wis.) was transformed with pPROT8 and subsequently induced with IPTG to determine if either the fusion protein or enzymatically active human ELA-1 could be produced. In the case of EC100 transformed cells, all of the pPROT8 derived LacZ-proELA-1 fusion protein produced was insoluble (i.e., found in inclusion bodies). An E. coli strain containing mutations in the trxB and gor genes (the Origami™ strain, Takara Mirus Bio, Inc., Madison, Wis.) was subsequently transformed with pPROT8 as E. coli strains with mutations in these coding sequences are known to promote recovery of soluble and enzymatically active recombinant proteins. Although some soluble pPROT8 derived LacZ-proELA-1 fusion protein in the trxB/gor E. coli strain was recovered upon induction with IPTG, it could not be converted to enzymatically active human ELA-1 with trypsin.

6.4 Example 3 Expression of PRT-201 in Mammalian Cell Lines

Several expression strategies were attempted in an effort to obtain soluble and enzymatically active human type I pancreatic elastase (ELA-1) in mammalian cell lines. The high copy mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1 (Invitrogen) containing the CMV promoter was used as a backbone for two human ELA-1 elastase expression vectors, pPROT30 and pPROT31. To construct pPROT30, the human ELA-1 proenzyme sequence was amplified by PCR and fused to a porcine pancreatic elastase signal sequence incorporated in the forward PCR primer. Using restriction sites incorporated into the PCR primers, the PCR product was digested and ligated using the corresponding restriction sites in the pcDNA3.1 vector. pPROT31 was constructed in a similar fashion, except that the human ELA-1 mature coding sequence was used instead of the proenzyme coding sequence in an attempt at direct expression of the mature enzyme. E. coli was transformed with the ligation reactions and clones were selected for miniprep screening. One clone for each expression vector was selected based on expected restriction digest patterns for the correct insert. Plasmid DNA was prepared for each clone and the expression vector coding sequences were confirmed by DNA sequencing.

The mammalian cell lines CHO, COS, HEK293 and HEK293T were transiently transfected separately with pPROT30 and pPROT31. After several days, cell culture supernatants were harvested and analyzed for human ELA-1 proprotein (pPROT30) or mature protein (pPROT31) expression by Western blot. An anti-porcine pancreatic elastase polyclonal antibody cross-reacted with a band of the expected molecular weight for the human ELA-1 proprotein in pPROT30 supernatants and for the mature human ELA-1 protein in pPROT31 supernatants.

The pPROT30 and pPROT31 supernatants were analyzed for elastase activity by SLAP assay. For pPROT30, the supernatants were first treated with trypsin to convert the proenzyme to mature PRT-201. No elastase activity was detected in any of the supernatants for either vector using the SLAP assay.

6.5 Example 4 Expression of Trypsin-Activated PRT-201 in P. pastoris

The vector for P. pastoris secreted expression, PV-1, was synthesized by Blue Heron and used to first clone the wild-type human ELA-1 coding sequence. The PV-1 vector was designed for simple cloning, selection and high-level expression of the recombinant protein. The vector contains the Zeocin™ resistance gene for direct selection of multi-copy integrants. Fusion of the N-terminus of the elastase propeptide to a yeast α-mating type sequence comprising the yeast secretion signal, propeptide and spacer sequences as shown in FIG. 1B permits secretion of the expressed protein in the culture media. The secreted elastase proprotein can be easily separated from the cell pellet, a substantial first step towards purification. Additionally, the proenzyme form of human ELA-1 containing the trypsin cleavage site was selected for expression to avoid directly expressing the mature, activated enzyme which may lead to protein misfolding or toxicity to the cells expressing the recombinant enzyme.

Cloning of the expression construct pPROT24-V to direct the expression of ELA-1 proenzyme was accomplished as follows. The human ELA-1 coding region (SEQ ID NO:81) was amplified from Blue Heron pUC ELA-1 by PCR (Expand High Fidelity PCR System, Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.). The 20F forward primer incorporated an XhoI site (5′-ggctcgagaaaagagaggctgaagctactcaggaccttccggaaaccaatgcccgg-3; SEQ ID NO:35). The 24R primer incorporated a SacII site (5′-gggccgcggcttatcagttggaggcgatgacat-3′; SEQ ID NO:36). The resulting PCR product was gel-purified and cloned into pCR2.1-TOPO (Invitrogen). The ELA-1 coding sequence was isolated using XhoI and SacII, gel-purified, and cloned into PV-1 vector at those sites to yield pPROT24-V (FIG. 3).

The pPROT24-V ligated product was amplified in E. coli strain TOP10. The cell mixture was plated on low salt LB plates supplemented with 25 microgram/mL Zeocin. DNA plasmid was prepared (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.) and the human ELA-1 insert was identified by restriction digestion. The pPROT24 coding sequence was verified by sequencing both strands of purified maxiprep DNA with multiple overlapping reactions. High quality sequencing data allowed unambiguous base assignments and confirmed the correct coding sequence. Glycerol stocks of pPROT24-V/TOP10 were made and stored at −80° C.

The wild-type NRRL Y-11430 P. pastoris strain obtained from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA, Peoria, Ill., USA) was used for transformation. Plasmid DNA from pPROT24-V was linearized with SacI and complete digestion was confirmed by running a small aliquot of the reaction on an agarose gel. Electroporation was used to transform P. pastoris with pPROT24-V plasmid DNA. Cell mixtures were plated onto YPDS plates containing 100 microgram/mL Zeocin. After three days, colonies began to form and were selected over several more days for re-streaking on fresh plates.

In general, drug-resistant transformants were screened for expression in a 1 L baffled flask. A single colony was used to inoculate 200 mL of BKGY medium. The composition of the BKGY solution was the following: 10 g/L glycerol, 13.4 g/L yeast nitrogen base with ammonium sulfate and without amino acids (Invitrogen), 20 g/L soy peptone, 10 g/L yeast extract, 0.4 mg/L biotin in 0.1 M potassium-phosphate buffer (pH 5.0). The culture was grown for two days at 28° C. with shaking at 275 rpm. The cultures were pelleted by centrifugation at 650×g for 10 min at room temperature. The cell pellets were resuspended with BKME induction media, pH 5.0, by resuspending the pellets at a ratio of 1 g wet cells to 5 mL induction media. A 50 mL cell suspension was placed in a 500 mL non-baffled flask to obtain a 1:10 ratio of cell suspension to flask volume. The cells were incubated at 22° C. with shaking at 275 rpm for 1-3 days. Methanol in the induction media was replenished to a final concentration of 0.5% twice daily over the course of induction.

To screen for expression, 1 mL aliquots were taken, transferred to 1.5 mL microfuge tubes and centrifuged for 5 min at 20,000×g in a microcentrifuge. Supernatants were transferred to fresh tubes and stored at −80° C. For SDS-PAGE analysis, supernatant aliquots were thawed and mixed with 4× Laemmli buffer supplemented to 5% volume with the reducing agent beta-mercaptoethanol. Samples were boiled for 5 min, gently centrifuged, and loaded onto an 8-16% gradient Tris-HCl pre-cast gel in a Criterion electrophoresis system (Bio-Rad). After electrophoresis, the gel was stained with Coomassie and analyzed for human ELA-1 proenzyme expression. Clone 201-24-266-VU was selected as a high-yield clone for further evaluation. A development cell bank consisting of 201-24-266-VU glycerol stocks was prepared and stored at −80° C.

For scale-up production of human ELA-1 proenzyme using clone 201-24-266-VU, multiple production runs were performed that generally followed the methods described below. Where applicable, run-to-run variations in the methods are noted.

For cell culture, a series of 2 L baffled shaker flasks (typically ranging from 20 to 40 flasks) containing 500 mL BKGY growth medium were inoculated with 250 microliters of thawed 201-24-266-VU glycerol stock. Cultures were grown at 28° C. for 2 days in a shaking incubator at 250-300 rpm. After 2 days, the cells were pelleted by centrifugation and the supernatant was discarded. The cells were resuspended in BKME induction media, pH 5.0, at a ratio of 1 g of weight cells to 5 mL media. A volume of 200-400 mL cell suspension was placed in 2 L non-baffled flasks and cultured for 3 days in a shaking incubator (250-300 rpm) at 22° C. Methanol in the media was replenished to 0.5% volume twice daily during the course of induction. At the end of induction, the shake flask cultures were centrifuged to pellet the cells. The supernatant was removed and immediately filtered at room temperature through a 0.22 um polyethersulfone membrane using 1 L vacuum filtration units to remove any remaining cell debris. The filtrate was stored at 2-8° C. for up to 1.5 months. Based on HIC-HPLC analysis, the yield of human ELA-1 proenzyme from clone pro-PRT-201-24-266-VU in the clarified supernatant was typically 200 to 250 mg/L.

Capture of pro-PRT-201-24-266-VU from the supernatant was effected as follows. First, supernatant from multiple rounds of shaker flask cultures (typically 4 to 10 rounds) was combined (typically 8 to 25 L total), diluted 8-fold with water and adjusted to pH 5.0 with 1 M HCl. The diluted supernatant was then loaded onto an equilibrated 2 L bed volume Macro-Prep High S ionic exchange capture column at 2-8° C. at a rate of 100 mL/min (linear flow rate 76 cm/hr). The chromatography program comprised the following steps: 1. Wash column with 10 L (5 column volumes [CVs]) of Buffer A (20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0.) at 100 mL/min (76 cm/hr); 2. Wash column with 4 L (2 CVs) of a mixture of 90% Buffer A and 10% Buffer B (500 mM sodium chloride; 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0) for a final buffer composition of 50 mM sodium chloride; 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0 at 100 mL/min (76 cm/hr); 3. Wash column with 6 L (3 CVs) of a mixture of 80% Buffer A and 20% Buffer B for a final buffer composition of 100 mM sodium chloride; 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0 at 100 ml/min (76 cm/hr); 4. Wash column with 6 L (3 CVs) of a linear gradient, starting from 75% Buffer A and 25% Buffer B to 68% Buffer A and 32% Buffer B, at 100 ml/min (153 cm/hr); 5. Elute with a linear gradient of 30 L (15 CVs) starting from 68% Buffer A and 32% Buffer B to 0% Buffer A and 100% Buffer B, at 100 ml/min (76 cm/hr). The eluate was collected in fractions of 500-1000 mL each.

Typically, two predominant protein species were observed by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie staining: the glycosylated human ELA-1 proenzyme and the non-glycosylated human ELA-1 proenzyme, as determined by subsequent LC/MS analysis, typically eluting at about 320 mM sodium chloride, shown in FIG. 4. In some production runs a protein slightly smaller than the human ELA-1 proenzyme was observed as a minor species. Subsequent LC/MS analysis of these fractions showed that most of the protein was not full-length proenzyme but instead was lacking several amino acids at the N-terminus. These N-terminal variants were purified and subjected to elastase activity analysis, which revealed that they had lower elastase activity than full length PRT-201. N-terminal variants could arise from the human ELA-1 proenzyme exhibiting a low level of elastase activity during cell culture and capture chromatography operations and either cleaving itself through an intramolecular reaction or cleaving another human ELA-1 proenzyme molecule through an intermolecular reaction. Suboptimal cleavage conditions during these operations could lead to a high level of inaccurate cleavage of the proenzyme (sometimes referred to as spontaneous or uncontrolled conversion) resulting in mostly N-terminal variants, rather than intact, full length PRT-201.

After inspection of SDS-PAGE results, a subset of fractions was pooled to obtain purified non-glycosylated pro-PRT-201 for further processing. Fractions containing glycosylated proenzyme or full-length PRT-201 and/or N-terminal variants (which co-migrate on SDS-PAGE) were typically excluded from the pooling. The pooled pro-PRT-201 was typically stored in a 5 L plastic beaker at 2-8° C. for several hours to overnight prior to conversion from proenzyme to mature enzyme.

Conversion of pro-PRT-201 to mature PRT-201 by immobilized trypsin was effected as follows. The pooled pro-PRT-201 fractions were dialyzed in 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 5.0, overnight at 2-8° C. This step provides for the removal of citrate, which inhibits trypsin. Following dialysis, the pro-PRT-201 was passed over a column of recombinant trypsin (TrypZean) immobilized to agarose beads pre-equilibrated with 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 5.0. Typically, the contact time between pro-PRT-201 and the immobilized TrypZean was between 3.5 to 5 min. The resulting post-conversion material was analyzed by SDS-PAGE to confirm conversion and subsequently loaded onto a Macro-Prep High S polish column. The column was washed sequentially with 5 CVs of 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0; 2 CVs of 20 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium chloride, pH 5.0; and 3 CVs of 20 mM sodium citrate, 100 mM sodium chloride, pH 5.0. The column was further washed with a linear gradient from 125 mM sodium chloride to 160 mM sodium chloride in 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0. PRT-201 was eluted in a linear gradient from 165 mM to 500 mM sodium chloride in 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0 and collected in fractions. Fractions were analyzed for protein by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie staining and for elastase activity by SLAP assay. Typically, fractions having a specific activity of 90% or greater than that of the fraction with the highest specific activity were pooled. In subsequent LC/MS analysis, late-eluting fractions having lower specific activity were found to be enriched in PRT-201 N-terminal variants.

Pooled fractions with high specific activity were diafiltered into formulation buffer composed of 0.1×PBS (13.7 mM sodium chloride, 1 mM sodium phosphate, 0.27 mM potassium phosphate) at pH 5.0. After concentration of PRT-201 to 1 mg/mL, the pH was adjusted to 7.4. The solution was then aliquoted into glass serum vials with an elastomer stopper, and lyophilized. Lyophilization was typically performed with a primary drying cycle at −30 to −50° C. and a secondary drying cycle at −15° C. After lyophilization, the vials were stoppered under vacuum and crimped with an aluminum seal. The vials were then typically stored at 2-8° C. or −80° C.

To evaluate the stability of lyophilized PRT-201 in vials, two lots that were manufactured into sterile GMP drug product have been placed on a stability program. The stability program consists of storage of the drug product at −15° C. and periodic removal of a subset of vials for testing by the following stability-indicating analytical methods (specifications are in parentheses): appearance of lyophilized material (white to off-white powder), appearance after reconstitution (clear, colorless solution free of particles), specific activity by SLAP assay (25-45 U/mg), purity by RP-HPLC (total purity: not less than 93%; individual impurity: not more than 2%), purity by reduced SDS-PAGE (not less than 93%), purity by non-reduced SDS-PAGE (not less than 93%), particulate matter injections (conforms to USP), aggregates by SEC-HPLC (not more than 3%), content per vial (4.5-5.5 mg), pH (6.5-8.5), moisture (does not exceed 5%) and sterility (conforms to USP). To date, both lots have met the indicated specifications at all time points tested (lot C0807117 through 12 months and lot C1007132 through 9 months). These results indicate that PRT-201 is stable for at least 12 months when stored lyophilized in vials at −15° C.

The use of sodium citrate, pH 5.0, during both capture chromatography of pro-PRT-201 and polish chromatography of converted PRT-201 was based on data showing that sodium citrate inhibited elastase activity of purified PRT-201 and therefore might also inhibit elastase activity of pro-PRT-201 and PRT-201 during processing operations. Such inhibition could minimize the spontaneous conversion of pro-PRT-201 to N-terminal variants and minimize auto-degradation of PRT-201. In an experiment where SLAP assay buffer contained 115 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0, the specific activity of PRT-201 was inhibited by 91%.

Occasionally, eluted material from the pro-PRT-201 capture column was not subjected to conversion by trypsin as described above but instead used to obtain preparations enriched in various protein species. For example, pools of fractions containing primarily glycosylated pro-PRT-201, non-glycosylated pro-PRT-201 or proteins arising from spontaneous conversion were made from the capture column eluate. Typically, these fraction pools were diafiltered into 10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 5.0, lyophilized, and stored at −80° C.

A study was performed to determine the effect of pH and temperature on the stability of purified pro-PRT-201 over time. Lyophilized pro-PRT-201 was reconstituted in 10 mM sodium phosphate at pHs ranging from 3.0 to 8.4, followed by incubation at 4° C. or 25° C. for 7 days. After 7 days, the pro-PRT-201 samples under conditions of pH 4.0-8.0 and 25° C. showed an enrichment in mature PRT-201 that increased with increasing pH as shown by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining. Under the conditions of pH 8.4 and 25° C., complete conversion of pro-PRT-201 to mature PRT-201 was observed. The samples at 4° C., from pH 4.0 to 8.4 showed little to no conversion. At pH 3.0, no conversion was observed at either 4° C. and 25° C. It has been reported in the literature (Hartley and Shotton, 1971, Pancreatic Elastase. Enzymes 3:323-373) that porcine pancreatic elastase is irreversibly inactived after prolonged storage at pHs lower than 3.0. Thus, based these results of this study and to avoid irreversibly inactivating PRT-201, useful conditions to minimize conversion of purified pro-PRT-201 are storage at 4° C. between pH 3.0-4.0.

6.6 Example 5 Expression of Auto-Activated PRT-201 in P. pastoris

To obtain a variant proenzyme capable of auto-activation, thereby eliminating the need for trypsin activation, a variety of elastase cleavage domain variant vectors were constructed and analyzed in small-scale culture and conversion experiments. The variant vectors were created by site-directed PCR mutagenesis of the pPROT24-V vector and subsequent derivative vectors. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed using Pfu Turbo DNA polymerase (Stratagene). The E. coli XL10-Gold strain was transformed with the resulting plasmids. The transformed cell mixtures were plated on low salt LB plates supplemented with 25 microgram/mL Zeocin. Drug-resistant clones were picked and plasmid DNA was prepared (Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). Clones were confirmed for the expected codon changes by sequencing both strands of plasmid DNA in the propeptide region with multiple overlapping reactions. P. pastoris was transformed with the variant vectors and clones were selected as described in the preceding Example.

A summary of the elastase cleavage domain variants that were created is provided in Table 4 below:

TABLE 4 Elastase cleavage domain variants

For Table 4 above, the first column listing of the “Pro-Peptide Sequence Name” corresponds to the SEQ ID NO for the indicated elastase cleavage domain. Thus, 24 corresponds to the wild-type trypsin cleavage domain of SEQ ID NO:24. Numbers 40-49, 52-63 correspond respectively to the variant elastase cleavage domains of SEQ ID NOS: 40-49, and 52-63.

To culture the variant clones, shaker flask culture conditions developed for the trypsin-activated 201-24-266-VU clone described in the preceding Example were generally followed. Several methods of converting the variant proproteins secreted into the shaker flask supernatant to mature PRT-201 were tested. The first conversion strategy consisted of chromatographically purifying the variant proenzyme first, followed by controlled cleavage in a specific conversion buffer. Because the amino acid changes in the variant proproteins resulted in only small changes in the theoretical isoelectric points compared to the wild-type proenzyme, cation exchange chromatography was carried out generally as described in the preceding Example. Supernatants from the variant clone cultures were prepared for chromatography either by dilution with water generally as described in the preceding Example or by concentration followed by diafiltration of the supernatant using tangential flow filtration into the column loading buffer. After chromatographic purification, eluted fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie staining. Gel analysis demonstrated greater amounts of converted mature protein to proprotein in the fractions compared to the starting supernatant, indicating that a considerable amount of spontaneous proprotein conversion had occurred. Upon subsequent purification, the spontaneously converted protein was determined by LC/MS to consist of mainly N-terminal variants which were shown to have little or no elastase activity in the SLAP assay.

The second conversion strategy consisted of converting the variant proprotein prior to purifying from the culture supernatant, followed by chromatographic purification of the mature enzyme. This conversion strategy was first tested in a small-scale assay and subsequently scaled up to accommodate larger conversion volumes. For small-scale conversion, clarified supernatant from variant clone cultures was typically concentrated 5-fold by centrifugation at 2-8° C. in an ultracentrifugal filter device. After concentration, the retentate was diluted 5-fold with Tris buffer to a final concentration of 100 mM of Tris-HCl typically in a pH range of 8.0 to 9.0. Samples were incubated at room temperature on a rocking platform. Elastase activity was monitored by SLAP assay typically until the activity reaction velocity reached a plateau. In some cases, the reaction velocity increased so slowly that SLAP monitoring was halted before a plateau was achieved. Converted samples were analyzed for protein species (e.g., proprotein and PRT-201/N-terminal variants) by SDS-PAGE. To scale up this conversion strategy, supernatant containing variant proprotein was concentrated 10-fold using tangential flow filtration followed by diafiltration with 100 mM Tris-HCl ranging in pH from 6.0 to 9.0. The progress of the conversion reaction was monitored over time by HIC-HPLC analysis in which proprotein, PRT-201, and N-terminal variant species were quantified. When the pH of the diafiltration buffer was between 8.0 and 9.0 there were generally higher rates of conversion.

The elastase proproteins listed in Table 5 were expressed in P. pastoris as described and tested for their capacity to undergo auto-conversion in small-scale conversion assays as described in the second conversion strategy above. The results of those studies are summarized in Table 5 below:

TABLE 5 Results of expression of elastase proproteins in P. pastoris. Pro-Peptide Shaker Flask Shaker Flask % N-Terminal Trypsin Used in Sequence Name Yield Stability Conversion Rate Variants Processing 24 High High Fast 20% Yes 40 None Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable No 41 Intermediate High Slow Not Tested No 42 Low Low Intermediate 25% No 43 Intermediate High Slow Not Tested No 44 Intermediate-High High No Conversion Not Applicable No Detected 45 Intermediate High No Conversion Not Applicable No Detected 46 Intermediate High No Conversion Not Applicable No Detected 47 Intermediate High No Conversion Not Applicable No Detected 48 Intermediate Low Fast 15% No 49 High High Slow 35% No 52 Intermediate Low Fast Not Tested No 53 Intermediate Intermediate Fast 25% No 54 Intermediate Low Fast Not Tested No 55 Intermediate- Intermediate Fast 15% No High 56 Low Low Not Tested Not Tested No 57 Low Low Not Tested Not Tested No 58 Intermediate- Intermediate Slow Not Tested No High 59 Intermediate- Intermediate Slow Not Tested No High 60 Intermediate- High Slow Not Tested No High 61 None Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable No 62 High High No Conversion Not Applicable No Detected 63 None Not Applicable Not Applicable Not Applicable No

In Table 5 above, the first column listing of the “Pro-Peptide Sequence Name” corresponds to the SEQ ID NO for the indicated elastase cleavage domain. Thus, 24 corresponds to the wild-type trypsin activated elastase cleavage domain of SEQ ID NO:24. Numbers 40-49, and 52-63 correspond respectively to the variant elastase cleavage domains of SEQ ID NOS: 40-49, and 52-63. The column labeled “Shaker Flask Yield” corresponds to the amount of the corresponding proprotein in the culture supernatant over 3 days of induction as determined by SDS-PAGE analysis. The column labeled “Shaker Flask Stability” corresponds to the stability of the corresponding proprotein in the supernatant of the shaker flask culture media over 3 days of induction as determined by the amount of PRT-201/N-terminal variants seen on SDS-PAGE analysis. The column labeled “Conversion Rate” corresponds to the relative rate of conversion of proprotein to PRT-201, as indicated by the time to achieve maximal SLAP reaction velocity (Fast: less than 60 minutes; Intermediate: 60 to 120 minutes; and Slow: greater than 120 minutes). Conversion time courses of the variant proproteins were determined using the small-scale conversion assay described above and compared to the conversion time course of the 24 proprotein determined by activation using immobilized trypsin. The column labeled “% N-Terminal Variants” refers to the percentage of converted protein that comprised N-terminal variants of the mature elastase protein (i.e. variants comprising cleavage at the bond C-terminal to any site other than P1). To illustrate the relative ranking systems used in in Table 5, examples of SDS-PAGE, conversion rate and N-terminal variant analyses for a subset of auto-activated variants are shown in FIG. 5.

Analysis of the various variants revealed that elastase proproteins comprising either the SEQ ID NO:48 or SEQ ID NO:55 variant elastase cleavage domain provided auto-activated elastases with superior qualities including intermediate to high shaker flask yields and low percentages of variants upon conversion. Further analysis of elastase proproteins comprising either the SEQ ID NO:48 and SEQ ID NO:55 variant elastase cleavage domain revealed that auto-activation of the corresponding proproteins (i.e. the elastase proenzymes of SEQ ID NO:64 and SEQ ID NO:69, respectively) produced just one class of N-terminal variant with a cleavage at the peptide bond C-terminal to the P′2 residue. Further analysis of elastase proproteins revealed that the proprotein comprising SEQ ID NO:55 variant elastase cleavage domain was more stablethan the proprotein comprising the SEQ ID NO:48 variant elastase cleavage domain.

Initial experiments to optimize conditions for controlled cleavage of purified pro-PRT-201 were performed using the proprotein with the 42 pro-peptide sequence (SEQ ID NO:6). This purified proprotein was subjected to conversion in a matrix of conditions including pH (7.7 to 8.9), buffer composition (0.4 to 10 mM sodium citrate), protein concentration (0.14 to 0.23 mg/mL), and reaction time (5 to 24 hours). At the end of the conversion period, the reactions were quenched by adding formic acid to reduce the pH to 3.0. The relative amounts of protein species in each reaction were determined by mass spectrometry. Based on these results, the conversion conditions that resulted in the lowest percentage of N-terminal variants included a pH of 8.3, a buffer composition of 100 mM Tris and less than 1 mM sodium citrate, a protein concentration of 0.2 mg/mL, and a reaction time of 5 to 24 hours. In this study, only the reaction end points were analyzed. Thus real-time data on conversion quality was not obtained, and the final result may have reflected both the initial production of N-terminal variants and a substantial amount of time for those variants to have been degraded. Subsequently, an HIC-HPLC assay was developed to enable real-time monitoring of the conversion reaction. Further conversion optimization studies, including those using real-time HIC-HPLC monitoring, are described in Example 6.

6.7 Example 6 Expression of Auto-Activated PRT-201 in P. pastoris Using a Multicopy Variant Vector

Multicopy integration of recombinant genes in P. pastoris has been utilized to increase expression of the desired protein (see, e.g., Sreekrishna et al., 1989, Biochemistry 28:4117-4125; Clare et al., 1991, Bio/Technology 9:455-460; Romanos et al., 1991, Vaccine 9:901-906). However, in certain instances, expression levels obtained from single copy vector integrants was efficient and was not improved by the multicopy vector integrants (Cregg et al., 1987, Bio/Technology 5:479-485). Spontaneous multicopy plasmid integration events occur in vivo at a low frequency in P. pastoris. To obtain genomic integration of multiple copies of a gene and possibly increase the protein expression, an in vitro ligation method can be used to produce tandem inserts of the gene in an expression vector, followed by P. pastoris transformation.

To obtain a multicopy integrant of the pPROT55-V variant, an in vitro ligation method was used to construct a vector containing multiple copies of the pPROT55-V that was subsequently used for P. pastoris transformation. To make the multicopy vector, the pPROT55-V vector was digested with BglII and BamHI to release the 2.3 kb expression cassette encoding the pro-PRT-201 gene, the AOX1 promoter, and the AOX1 transcription termination sequence. The expression cassette was then ligated with a preparation of the pPROT55-V vector that had been linearized with BamHI and treated with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (New England Biolabs, Mass., USA) to prevent self-ligating. The ligation mixture was incubated overnight at 16° C. The E. coli TOP 10 strain (Invitrogen, Calif., USA) was transformed with the ligation reaction. The transformation mix was plated out on low salt LB in the presence of 25 microgram/mL of Zeocin. Drug-resistant transformants were picked and plasmid DNA was prepared.

To determine the number of expression cassettes in the resulting clones, plasmid DNA was digested with BglII and BamHI and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis with a DNA size standard marker. A clone containing a single defined insert band with the size consistent with three 2.3 kb expression cassettes was identified and named pPROT55M3-V. Restriction enzyme mapping was used to confirm the orientation of a linear head-to-tail multimer formation for the pPROT55M3-V vector. FIG. 6 depicts the pPROT55M3-V cloning scheme.

The wild-type P. pastoris strain NRRL Y-11430 was used for transformation, which was carried out as described in Example 4 except that the pPROT55M3-V vector was linearized with BglII instead of SacI prior to transformation. Drug-resistant transformants were cultured and screened for expression of the pPROT55M3 proprotein as described in Example 4.

Optimization of shaker flask culture conditions was performed to minimize spontaneous cleavage during induction. Shaker flask optimization focused on two variables, induction temperature and induction media composition. First, it was found that performing induction at 22° C. compared to 25° C. resulted in a higher ratio of proenzyme to mature enzyme in the culture supernatant for all media compositions tested. Second, addition of sodium citrate to increase the buffering strength of the induction media resulted in the absence of spontaneously converted mature enzyme in the culture supernatant across all sodium citrate concentrations tested (12.5 to 50 mM). The effects of these variables on proprotein expression yield and stability in shaker flask supernatant over time are illustrated in FIG. 7.

The high-expressing three-copy clone 201-55M3-003-VU was selected for scale-up fermentation analysis using fermentation procedures established for the 201-55-001-VU clone described as follows. Fermentation of the 201-55-001-VU clone was effected by thawing one cell bank vial and using it to inoculate a shaker flask containing 500 ml of BKGY growth medium at pH 5.7. The seed culture was grown for 24 hours with shaking at 28° C. until the wet cell weight was approximately 40 g/L. The fermentor containing BKGY growth medium at pH 5.7 was sterilized in the autoclave. After the media was cooled to 28° C., supplements including yeast nitrogen base and biotin were added. The fermentor was inoculated at a ratio of 1:33 of seed culture to BKGY growth medium.

The fermentation procedure started with a fed-batch of glycerol and glycerol feed at pH 5.7 at 28° C. The pH was controlled by 10% phosphoric acid and 30% ammonium sulfate solutions. The culture was agitated from 300-1000 rpm with aeration to control the dissolved oxygen at 40%. After the initial glycerol batch was depleted and dissolved oxygen spiked, indicating the depletion of glycerol from the system, additional 50% glycerol was fed at 131 g/h until the wet cell weight reached preferably between 200 g/L to 300 g/L. After the wet cell weight reached 200 g/L-300 g/L, the induction was immediately initiated with a methanol bolus of 0.025 mL per gram of wet biomass. After depletion of the methanol bolus and the rise of dissolved oxygen, induction was continued by the addition of limiting amounts of methanol with a constant feed rate of 0.0034 g methanol/g wet cell weight/hr. At the start of constant methanol feed, the pH of the fermentation broth was changed from 5.7 to 5.5 and the temperature was changed from 28° C. to 22° C. The fermentation was harvested after 70 hours of induction.

To determine the relative yields of single and 3-copy clones, clone 201-55-001-VU, containing one genomic integrant of the single copy pPROT55-V vector, was fermented in parallel with clone 201-55M3-003-VU, containing one genomic integrant of the 3-copy pPROT55M3-V vector. The fermentations were carried out as described above except that the pH of the culture was maintained at 5.7 throughout induction. The harvested supernatants from 201-55-001-VU and 201-55M3-003-VU fermentations were analyzed by gradient SDS-PAGE followed by Colloidal Blue staining (FIG. 8), which showed that higher proprotein expression was obtained from the multicopy 201-55M3-003-VU clone compared to the single copy 201-55-001-VU clone. SDS-PAGE results were confirmed with HIC-HPLC analysis of proprotein concentration in the fermentation supernatants, demonstrating that the 201-55M3-003-VU clone produced approximately 600 mg/L of the secreted proprotein while the 201-55-001-VU clone produced approximately 400 mg/L. Thus, the multicopy 201-55M3-003-VU clone containing three expression cassettes produced approximately 50% more proprotein compared to single copy 201-55-001-VU clone containing a single expression cassette.

Two conversion strategies were tested using the 201-55M3-003-VU supernatant produced from the fermentation. These strategies generally follow the strategies described for other proprotein variants in Example 5, except that they were performed on a larger scale. In the first strategy, the proprotein was captured from the supernatant by cation exchange chromatography, followed by conversion to the mature protein and polish chromatography. In the second strategy, the proprotein was converted to the mature protein prior to purification, followed by capture using cation exchange chromatography, extended conversion to remove the N-terminal variants, and further polish chromatography. Both strategies also included an extended incubation step in a buffer at pH 8.0 after conversion to effect the selective degradation of N-terminal variants.

Using the first strategy, capture of the proprotein followed by conversion and PRT-201 polish purification were effected as follows. The 201-55M3-003-VU supernatant was harvested from the fermentation culture and frozen at −80° C. Approximately 7 L of frozen clarified supernatant (3.5 L from the 201-55M3-003-VU fermentation described above and 3.5 L from 201-55M3-003-VU shaker flask cultures prepared generally as described in Examples 4 and 5) was thawed and diluted 8-fold with deionized water and 1 M sodium citrate, pH 4.3, at 2-8° C. to obtain a final concentration of 25 mM sodium citrate. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 4.7. The solution was loaded onto a 2.3 L bed Macroprep High S cation exchange column at 76 cm/hr at 2-8° C. The column was washed with 5 CVs of 25 mM sodium citrate, pH 4.7, followed by 5 CVs of 160 mM sodium chloride, 25 mM sodium citrate, pH 4.7. The proprotein was eluted with 15 CVs of a linear gradient starting from 160 mM sodium chloride to 500 mM sodium chloride in 25 mM sodium citrate, pH 4.7, at 87 ml/min (67 cm/hr). The eluate was collected in fractions. Fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE for protein content (FIG. 9). A small amount of spontaneously converted protein was observed by SDS-PAGE. Fractions containing the proprotein were pooled for further processing. The pooled material was subjected to HIC-HPLC analysis, which showed that it consisted of 92% proprotein and 8% mature PRT-201.

To initiate conversion, the pooled material was buffer exchanged using tangential flow filtration into 100 mM sodium chloride, 20 mM Tris, pH 4.0, using constant volume diafiltration at 10-12° C. Tangential flow filtration was performed with regenerated cellulose membranes, a transmembrane pressure of 15 psi, a crossflow rate of 20 L/min and a flux of 800 mL/min. Three diavolumes of the buffer at 2-8° C. was added at the same rate as the flux. Subsequently, three additional volumes of buffer at ambient temperature were added at the same rate as the flux to raise the temperature of the conversion solution to the target of 26° C. Tangential flow filtration was used to concentrate the conversion solution to the target of 1.5 mg/mL using the conditions of 15 psi transmembrane pressure, 1.2 L/min crossflow rate, and 76 ml/min flux. However, after approximately 2 minutes of starting the concentration procedure, unexpected precipitation was observed and the concentration process was halted. The protein concentration of the conversion solution was determined to be 1.1 mg/mL by UV absorbance at 280 nm in a volume of 570 mL. To minimize further precipitation, the conversion solution was diluted to 1 mg/mL with 100 mM sodium chloride, 20 mM Tris, pH 4.0, and filtered through a 0.22 micron membrane. Sixteen mL of 3 M Tris, pH 9.0 was added to the conversion solution. The conversion solution was placed in a water bath at 26° C. The conversion reaction was monitored by HIC-HPLC analysis. After 30 minutes, HIC-HPLC showed that the majority of the proprotein had been converted to PRT-201 and some N-terminal variants (FIG. 10). After 1 hour, the conversion reaction consisted of 0% proprotein, 86% full-length PRT-201 and 14% N-terminal variants. The conversion material was incubated further for 4 more hours, at which time HIC-HPLC analysis showed that the conversion material consisted of 98% full-length PRT-201 and 2% N-terminal variants.

The conversion material was diluted 4-fold with deionized water and 1 M sodium citrate, pH 4.3, to a final concentration of 25 mM sodium citrate. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 5.0 in preparation for loading onto the polish column. The solution was loaded onto a 600 mL bed Macroprep High S cation exchange column at 27 mL/min (83 cm/hr). The column was washed with 5 CVs of 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0 followed by 5 CVs of 160 mM sodium chloride, 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0. PRT-201 was eluted with 15 CVs of a linear gradient starting from 160 mM to 500 mM sodium chloride in 25 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0, at 87 mL/min (67 cm/hr). The eluate was collected in fractions. Fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE for protein content and by SLAP assay for specific activity. Fractions containing PRT-201 with a specific activity of ≧30 U/mg were pooled. The pooled PRT-201 fractions were diafiltered by tangential flow filtration into formulation buffer (0.1×PBS, pH 5.0). The pH of diafiltered PRT-201 was adjusted to pH 7.4 and the protein concentration was adjusted to 1 mg/mL by tangential flow filtration. Vials were filled and lyophilized as described for PRT-201 produced from the 201-24-266-VU clone in Example 4.

Using the second strategy, proprotein conversion followed by purification of PRT-201 was effected as follows. Approximately 7 L of the frozen clarified supernatant from the 201-55M3-003-VU fermentation described above was thawed and the conversion reaction was initiated by tangential flow filtration with a conversion buffer containing 100 mM Tris, pH 8.0, using constant volume diafiltration at ambient temperature with regenerated cellulose membranes. Two diavolumes of 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0 were sufficient to change the pH of the retentate from pH 5.0 to 8.0 and effect conversion. An experiment was also performed by directly adjusting the pH of the clarified supernatant to 8.0 by adding a Tris base to a final concentration of 100 mM and adjusting the pH to 8.0 with 1 N sodium hydroxide. This resulted in the formation of precipitates and a cloudy supernatant, possibly due to precipitation of broth components, which was undesirable. The preferred method of conversion using tangential flow filtration did not result in precipitation.

The conversion reaction was monitored by real-time HIC-HPLC analysis. After initiation of conversion, pro-PRT-201 converted to mature PRT-201 slowly over the first two hours, followed by an acceleration of conversion (FIG. 11). At 4.5 hours, the conversion reaction consisted of approximately 4% pro-PRT-201, 75% mature PRT-201 and 21% N-terminal variants. At 6.5 hours, the conversion reaction consisted of approximately 1% pro-PRT-201, 83% mature PRT-201 and 16% N-terminal variants. The reduction in N-terminal variants from 21% to 16% from 4.5 hrs to 6.5 hrs may be due to degradation of N-terminal variants by full length, active PRT-201, but this was not complete and not as rapid as the reduction in N-terminal variants seen during conversion of purified pro-PRT 201. In this second strategy, extending the conversion reaction may not entirely remove the N-terminal variants due to the competing proteins in the supernatant that compete for the active site of elastase. To improve the conversion reaction, the postconversion material was captured and subsequently diafiltered into an appropriate buffer to initiate extended conversion at pH 8.0 for selective degradation of N-terminal variants as described below.

Capture of PRT-201 from the conversion material was effected as follows. The conversion material was buffer exchanged into 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0 and loaded onto a Macro-Prep High S cation-exchange chromatography column. The column was washed with 5 CVs of 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0 followed by 5 CVs of 20 mM sodium citrate, 160 mM sodium chloride, pH 5.0. PRT-201 was eluted with a linear gradient from 160 mM to 500 mM sodium chloride in 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0. The fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE for protein content, HIC-HPLC for N-terminal variants, UV absorbance at 280 nm for protein concentration, and SLAP assay for elastase activity. Two predominant proteins bands were detected by SDS-PAGE, corresponding to PRT-201 and PRT-201 glycoforms, as shown in FIG. 12. Fractions that contained PRT-201 glycoforms as determined by SDS-PAGE or N-terminal variants as determined by HIC-HPLC were excluded from pooling. Fractions that exhibited relatively low specific activity (less than 30 U/mg) as determined by SLAP assay were also excluded from pooling. The remaining fractions containing PRT-201 were pooled for further processing. HIC-HPLC analysis of the pooled fractions revealed that this material consisted of approximately 98% full-length PRT-201 and 1-2% N-terminal variants. The pooled material was stored at 2-8° C. for 12-16 hrs.

Given the prior observation that N-terminal variants appeared to decrease over a prolonged conversion period as described above, the pooled PRT-201 material was subjected to an extended incubation step at pH 8.0. The extended incubation was performed by diafiltration and tangential flow filtration with 100 mM Tris, 300 mM sodium chloride, pH 8.0 for 2.5 hours at ambient temperature. After 2.5 hours, the conversion material consisted of 100% mature PRT-201 as shown by HIC-HPLC analysis. The conversion material was subjected to diafiltration and tangential flow filtration into 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0 to suppress elastase activity and prepare for column chromatography. The diafiltered PRT-201 material was stored for approximately 64 hours at 2-8° C.

Polish chromatographic purification of PRT-201 was effected as follows. The diafiltered PRT-201 material was loaded onto a Macro-Prep High S cation exchange column and washed with 5 CVs of Buffer C (20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0) followed by 5 CVs of 160 mM sodium chloride, 20 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0. Elution of PRT-201 was performed with a linear gradient of 15 CVs starting from 68% Buffer C and 32% Buffer D (160 mM sodium chloride, 25 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0) to 0% Buffer C and 100% Buffer D (500 mM sodium chloride, 25 mM sodium citrate, pH 5.0), at 50 ml/min (153 cm/hr). The eluate was collected in fractions. PRT-201 eluted as a symmetrical peak at 37 mS/cm (330 mM sodium chloride). Fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE analysis for protein content, UV absorbance at 280 nm for protein concentration and SLAP assay for specific activity. Fractions containing PRT-201 that had a specific activity of 30.1-38.8 U/mg were pooled. The pooled PRT-201 fractions were diafiltered by tangential flow filtration into formulation buffer (0.1×PBS, pH 5.0). The pH of diafiltered PRT-201 was adjusted to pH 7.4 and the protein concentration was adjusted to 1 mg/mL by tangential flow filtration. Vials were filled and lyophilized as described for PRT-201 produced from the 201-24-266-VU clone in Example 4.

The conditions for the conversion procedures described above were chosen based on conversion optimization studies that examined protein concentration, temperature, buffer composition, diavolume and pH variables. In the first study, the effect of proprotein concentration on the production of N-terminal variants during conversion was analyzed. Purified pro-PRT-201 from the 201-55M3-003-VU clone (pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU) at a starting concentration of 0.2 mg/mL in 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 5.0 was aliquotted and concentrated to 1.0, 1.6, and 1.8 mg/mL using centrifugal concentrating devices as determined by UV absorbance at 280 nm. Conversion of the proprotein was effected by adding Tris and sodium chloride to 100 mM each of the four concentration samples, adjusting the pH from 5.0 to 8.0, and incubating the samples at ambient temperature. The conversion reaction was monitored by HIC-HPLC in real-time until the proprotein was ≦1% of the total protein (FIG. 13). At this endpoint, the 0.2 mg/mL sample consisted of approximately 8% N-terminal variants, whereas the 1.0 mg/mL, 1.6 and 2.0 mg/mL samples consisted of approximately 14%, 19% and 29% N-terminal variants, respectively. The remainder of the protein in each sample consisted of full-length PRT-201. These results demonstrate that increasing concentrations of pro-PRT-201-55-003-VU during conversion leads to the formation of more N-terminal variants and less full-length PRT-201. Other studies have suggested that pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU conversion occurs through both intramolecular and intermolecular reactions. Thus, for this variant proprotein, it is likely that intramolecular reactions, which are favored in more dilute proprotein solutions, give rise to more accurate conversion whereas intermolecular reactions, favored in more concentrated proprotein solutions, result in less accurate conversion, i.e., the formation of a higher percentage of the N-terminal variants relative to full-length PRT-201.

In the second study, the effect of temperature on the production of N-terminal variants during conversion was analyzed. Purified pro-PRT-201 from the 201-55M3-VU clone (named pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU) was produced at a concentration of 1.6 mg/mL was subjected to conversion as described above at either 15° C. or 26° C. The conversion reactions were monitored in real-time by HIC-HPLC and allowed to progress until the proprotein comprised <1% of total protein. The time required to reach this reduction in proprotein was approximately 30 minutes at 26° C. and approximately 90 minutes at 15° C. At these times, a similar percentage of N-terminal variants (about 20% of total protein) for both temperatures was observed. Thus, the higher temperature of 26° C. resulted in a more rapid conversion reaction compared to the lower temperature of 15° C. while producing an essentially identical reaction product profile.

The third study examined the effect of buffer composition on proprotein solubility during the conversion reaction. Purified pro-PRT-201 (pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU) at a concentration of 1.0 mg/mL was subjected to conversion under the conditions listed in Table 6. The conversion reactions were performed at ambient temperature except for one (buffer composition of 20 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM sodium chloride, pH 4.0) that was performed at 2 to 8° C. Conversion reactions were inspected visually for precipitation. As noted in Table 6, buffer compositions that did not result in precipitation included 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0; 100 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM sodium chloride, pH 5.0; and 100 mM Tris-HCl, 300 mM sodium chloride, pH 8.0. Buffer compositions with lower concentrations of Tris or without sodium chloride at lower pH (i.e., pH 5.0) exhibited precipitation.

TABLE 6 Effect of buffer composition on precipitation during conversion. Soluble (No Precipitation Precipitation Buffer Composition Temperature Observed Observed)  1 mM Tris-HCl, pH 5.0 Ambient +  25 mM Tris-HCl, pH 5.0 Ambient + 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 5.0 Ambient + 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.0 Ambient +  20 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM 2-8° C. + sodium chloride, pH 4.0 100 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM Ambient + sodium chloride, pH 5.0 100 mM Tris-HCl, 300 mM Ambient + sodium chloride, pH 8.0

In the fourth study, the effect of tangential flow filtration diavolume number on precipitation during conversion of supernatant containing proprotein (pro-PRT-201-55M3-003-VU) was analyzed. The solution used for buffer exchange was 100 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM sodium chloride, pH 8.0. Additionally, a direct pH adjustment of the supernatant from pH 5.0 to 8.0 without tangential flow filtration was tested. As noted in Table 7, direct pH adjustment of the supernatant resulted in a large amount of precipitation. With 1 diavolume of exchange, some precipitation was observed. No precipitation was observed when 2 to 5 diavolumes were used.

TABLE 7 Effect of diavolume number on precipitation during buffer exchange. Diavolumes Precipitation Observed 0 Major precipitation 1 Minor precipitation 2 No precipitation 3 No precipitation 5 No precipitation

In the fifth study, the effect of pH on elastase activity of mature PRT-201 was analyzed. This study was designed to identify a useful pH range for conversion that would not result in an irreversible loss of elastase activity of the mature PRT-201 conversion product. Solutions of 1 mg/mL PRT-201 in 20 mM Tris-HCl, 20 mM potassium phosphate were prepared from pH 1 to 14. Solutions were kept at ambient temperature for 0.5, 2, 24 and 48 hours. At the indicated time points, the solutions were tested for elastase activity in the SLAP assay. Elastase activity was largely stable from pH 3 to 8 at all time points. At pHs less than 3 and greater 8, elastase activity was reduced at all time points, with a correlation between longer time points and lower elastase activity. These results indicated that a conversion reaction performed outside a pH range of 3 to 8 could negatively impact elastase activity of the PRT-201 conversion product.

6.8 Example 7 Production of Auto-Activated Recombinant Porcine Type I Pancreatic Elastase

A vector encoding auto-activated porcine ELA-1 proenzyme was expressed P. pastoris. The resulting auto-activated porcine ELA-1 was compared to a porcine ELA-1 protein expressed as a trypsin-activated wild-type proprotein.

To construct the trypsin-activated porcine ELA-1 vector, the porcine ELA-1 coding region was synthesized by Blue Heron Biotechnology (Bothell, Wash.) using a non-PCR “long oligo” technique under license from Amgen (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). The recombinant gene was cloned into the Blue Heron pUC vector, a derivative of pUC119. The porcine ELA-1 gene was sequenced on both strands to confirm the correct sequence. SacI and XbaI restriction sites were incorporated as potential cloning sites flanking the porcine ELA-1 gene as shown in FIG. 14. A second stop codon was also added immediately after the native stop codon to minimize potential ribosome read through. FIG. 15 shows the nature identical amino acid sequence of porcine ELA-1 proenzyme, which contains the trypsin-activated site.

The coding region of porcine ELA-1 was amplified by PCR using a pair of oligonucleotides containing XhoI and SacI restriction sites to facilitate cloning. The PCR product was digested with XhoI and SacI and purified by agarose gel electrophoresis. The porcine ELA-1 fragment was cloned into the PV-1 vector at XhoI and SacI restriction sites. The E. coli TOP 10 strain was transformed with the ligation mixture. The cell mixture was plated on low salt LB plates supplemented with 25 mg/mL Zeocin. Drug-resistant clones were picked and plasmid DNA was prepared (Qiagen, Calif.). Based on restriction analysis, a clone containing the porcine ELA-1 gene insert was identified and the vector was named pPROT101-24-V. The coding sequence of this vector was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The cloning scheme for pPROT101-24-V is depicted in FIG. 16.

Using the trypsin-activated pPROT101-24-V vector, three different auto-activated clones were engineered by changing the trypsin cleavage site in the pro-peptide region of porcine ELA-1 to elastase cleavage sites. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed generally as described in Example 4 using synthetic oligonucleotide primers containing the desired mutations as described in Table 8. All the mutations in the pro-peptide region were confirmed by double-stranded DNA sequencing.

TABLE 8 Cleavage domain sequences of trypsin-activated and auto-activated porcine ELA-1 vectors. Mutagenized codons are shaded. The cleaved bond is between P1 and P′1.

The wild-type NRRL Y-11430 P. pastoris strain was transformed and drug-resistant transformants were cultured and screened for expression of the porcine ELA-1 proproteins as described in Example 3. Based on analysis by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie staining (see FIG. 17 and FIG. 18), the wild-type trypsin-activated pPROT101-24-V clones had the highest levels of expression compared to the auto-activated clones. Of the auto-activated clones, the pPROT101-49-V clones had the highest level of expression, followed by the pPROT101-55L-V clones and then the pPROT101-49-V clones. Auto-activated pPROT101-42-V and pPROT101-55L-V proproteins exhibited substantial spontaneous conversion during induction, while the trypsin-activated pPROT101-24-V and auto-activated pPROT101-49-V proproteins showed greater stability in the induction media.

Studies of the elastase activity of PRT-102 produced by trypsin activation of proelastase protein expressed from pPROT101-24-V showed higher specific activity than PRT-201 as shown in Table 9 below:

TABLE 9 Elastase activity of three different samples of mature porcine type I pancreatic elastase (trypsin activated) as compared to mature human type I pancreatic elastase. Sample Name PRT-201 PRT-102 PRT-102 PRT-102 Activity as measured 34.6 91.8 99.4 100.7 by SLAP (U/mg protein) 32.9 88.3 91.3 88.6 (Replicates) Average of Replicates 33.6 88.5 93.5 92.9 Standard Deviation 0.9 3.2 5.2 6.7

A small-scale conversion experiment was used to determine if pPROT101-55L-V and pPROT101-49-V proproteins could be converted to mature enzymes exhibiting elastase activity. pPROT101-55L-V and pPROT101-49-V shaker flask supernatants were concentrated 10-fold with an centrifugal filter unit and diluted 5-fold with 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 9.0. The conversion was allowed to proceed at room temperature and elastase activity was monitored over time by SLAP assay. The average change in absorbance per minute was determined from each time point and reported as non-normalized reaction velocity (FIG. 19). Conversion of both pPROT101-49-V and pPROT101-55L-V supernatants resulted in an increase in elastase activity. The final time point samples from each clone were analyzed by SDS-PAGE followed by Coomassie staining and compared to pre-conversion samples (FIG. 20). The SDS-PAGE results confirmed that nearly all of the pPROT101-49-V proprotein was converted to mature protein by the end of the conversion assay. The SDS-PAGE results also showed that nearly all of the pPROT101-55L-V had been spontaneously converted to mature protein prior to the conversion assay.

Purified preparations of pPROT101-24-V and pPROT101-49-V proproteins and mature enzymes were submitted to Danforth Plant Science Center, MO for intact molecular weight analysis. The proproteins were purified by cation exchange chromatography (Macroprep High S, Bio-Rad). For mature enzyme analysis, the proproteins from both clones were first treated to produce mature enzymes and then purified by cation exchange chromatography. The trypsin-activated proprotein was treated with trypsin while the auto-activated proprotein was converted in the presence of 100 mM Tris-HCl, pH 9.0, followed by cation exchange chromatography. The major peaks obtained from mass spectrometry analysis are listed in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Expected and observed molecular weights for porcine ELA-1 proteins. Expected Observed Protein MW MW Trypsin-activated pPROT101-24-V proprotein 27068 27064 Trypsin-activated pPROT101-24-V mature 25908 25898 enzyme Auto-activated pPROT101-49-V proprotein 27049 27047 Auto-activated pPROT101-49-V mature enzyme 25908 25910

SDS-PAGE, elastase activity and mass spectrometry results demonstrated that auto-activated forms of type I porcine pancreatic elastase can be produced by engineering the pro-peptide sequence to replace the trypsin cleavage site with an elastase cleavage site. The expression levels of these auto-activated forms of type I porcine pancreatic elastase are lower than the wild-type trypsin-activated form. Of the autoactivated clones tested, those with the pPROT101-49-V pro-peptide sequence showed the highest level of expression and the least spontaneous conversion. Conversion of the pPROT101-49-V and pPROT101-55L-V clones resulted in the production of mature proteins with substantial elastase activity. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the molecular weights of pPROT101-49-V proprotein and mature porcine type I corresponded to the expected masses.

6.9 Example 8 Trypsin Activity Analysis of Mature Recombinant Human Elastase-1 by Benz Colorimetric Peptide Substrate Assay

A calorimetric hydrolysis assay using the small peptide substrate N-benzoyl-Phe-Val-Arg-pNitroanilide (BENZ) was performed to determine if purified mature elastase protein produced by the auto-activated clone 201-55M3-003-VU possesses trypsin activity. Three vials of lyophilized PRT-201 purified from clone 201-55M3-003-VU were retrieved from −80° C. storage and reconstituted with water to obtain 1 mg/mL PRT-201 in 0.1×PBS, pH 7.4. Protein concentrations were confirmed by measuring UV absorbance at 280 nm. A TrypZean stock solution (10 mg/mL) was used to generate a standard curve for trypsin activity. A previously tested trypsin-activated PRT-201 sample was included as a positive control. In addition, some experimental and control samples were spiked with TrypZean to determine trypsin activity recovery in the presence of PRT-201. A subset of the spiked and unspiked samples was treated with soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) to determine the ability of SBTI to inhibit any intrinsic or spiked trypsin activity. TrypZean standards were also treated with SBTI to confirm the effectiveness of the inhibitor. See Table 11 below for a summary of the samples included in this study.

TABLE 11 TrypZean dilutions for the standard curve were prepared using the assay buffer (0.1 M Tris, pH 8.3). The standard curve for TrypZean solutions is shown in FIG. 21. Plus TrypZean spike Plus SBTI Plus TrypZean Description No addition (to 100 ng/mL) (to 10 ug/mL) spike and SBTI PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #1 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #2 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #3 ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ PRT-201 from trypsin activated clone ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Buffer only (0.1 M Tris, pH 8.3) ✓ Not done ✓ Not done TrypZean standard, 1.56 ng/mL ✓ Not done ✓ Not done TrypZean standard, 3.13 ng/mL ✓ Not done ✓ Not done TrypZean standard, 6.25 ng/mL ✓ Not done ✓ Not done TrypZean standard, 12.5 ng/mL ✓ Not done ✓ Not done Tr5ypZean standard, 25 ng/mL ✓ Not done ✓ Not done TrypZean standard, 50 ng/mL ✓ Not done ✓ Not done TrypZean standard, 100 ng/mL ✓ Not done ✓ Not done

The substrate solution was prepared (0.4 mg/mL N-benzoyl-Phe-Val-Arg-pNitroanilide Lot 7733 in 0.1 M Tris, pH 8.3) and prewarmed to 30° C. in a water bath. In triplicate, 100 microliters of each sample was pipetted into a 96-well microplate. Using a multichannel pipettor, 200 microliters of substrate solution was pipetted into each well and the microplate was immediately placed into a microplate reader preheated to 30° C. The microplate reader recorded the absorbance at 405 nm for each well once per minute for 60 minutes.

The PRT-201 samples were also tested for elastase activity in the SLAP assay. The SLAP substrate solution was prepared (4.5 mg/mL SLAP in 0.1 M Tris, pH 8.3) and prewarmed to 30° C. in a water bath. The 1 mg/mL PRT-201 samples were diluted 20× with water to 0.05 mg/mL. In triplicate, 10 microliters of each sample dilution was pipetted into a 96-well microplate. Using a multichannel pipettor, 300 microliters of SLAP substrate solution was pipetted into each well and the microplate was immediately placed into a microplate reader preheated to 30° C. The microplate reader recorded the absorbance at 405 nm for each well once per minute for 5 minutes.

The results of the BENZ and SLAP activity assays are respectively presented in Tables 11 and 12 below.

TABLE 12 Mean trypsin activity, reported as TrypZean concentration equivalent (ng/mL). Plus TrypZean spike Plus SBTI Plus TrypZean Description No addition (to 100 ng/mL) (to 10 ug/mL) spike and SBTI PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #1 <1.56 [a] 118.7 <1.56 [a] <1.56 [a] PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #2 <1.56 [a] 122.4 <1.56 [a] <1.56 [a] PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #3 <1.56 [a] 122.8 <1.56 [a] <1.56 [a] PRT-201 from trypsin activated clone 8.7 130.0 <1.56 [a] <1.56 [a] Buffer only (0.1 M Tris, pH 8.3) 1.3 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done TrypZean standard, 1.56 ng/mL 2.7 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done TrypZean standard, 3.13 ng/mL 3.7 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done TrypZean standard, 6.25 ng/mL 6.5 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done TrypZean standard, 12.5 ng/mL 11.2 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done Tr5ypZean standard, 25 ng/mL 23.5 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done TrypZean standard, 50 ng/mL 49.4 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done TrypZean standard, 100 ng/mL 102.4 Not done <1.56 [a] Not done [a] Coefficient of regression <0.8.

TABLE 13 Mean SLAP activity, reported as U/mg Description No addition PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #1 34.9 PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #2 36.6 PRT-201 from clone 55M3 Vial #3 35.7 PRT-201 from trypsin activated clone 32.1

The level of trypsin activity of PRT-201 from clone 201-55M3-003-VU was below the range of the standard curve in the trypsin activity assay (<1.56 ng/mL). Additionally, the coefficients of regression for the triplicate hydrolysis reactions were poor (<0.8), further supporting the absence of trypsin activity in this auto-activated mature elastase protein. In contrast, the level of trypsin activity of the control trypsin-activate sample was determined to be 8.7 ng/mL.

7. SEQUENCE LISTING

SEQ ID NO. Description Type of sequence Sequence   1 Mature Amino acid, single letter VVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGGTL human format, wherein: IRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT elastase I, X = V or L EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV including first TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN “valine” GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGV TSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIASN   2 Mature Amino acid, single letter VGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGGTLI human format, wherein: RQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT elastase I, X = V or L EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV minus first TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN “valine” GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGV TSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIASN   3 Mature Amino acid, single letter GGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGGTLIR human format, wherein: QNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGTE elastase I, X = V or L QYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSVT minus first LNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTNG two “valines” QLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTMV CAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGVT SFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIASN   4 Mature Amino acid, single letter AVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGGTL human format, wherein: IRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT elastase I, X = V or L EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV with first TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN “valine” GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM substituted VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGV by “alanine” TSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIASN   5 Mature Amino acid, single letter VVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGGTL human format IRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT elastase I EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV (isotype 2), TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN including first GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM “valine” VCAGGDGSSLWMPG   6 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETNAAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein X = V or SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 1 DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI (pPROT42 TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY variant) WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN   7 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETNAAAVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 2 DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN   8 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETAAAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 3 DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN   9 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETNNAPVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 4 DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN  10 Wild-type Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETNARVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 5 DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI (produced TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY from WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV pPROT24 NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS trypsin WINNVIASN activated sequence)  11 Consensus Amino acid, three letter Xaa₁ Xaa₂ Xaa₃ elastase format Xaa₁ = alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methio- recognition nine, lysine, asparagine or valine sequence 1 Xaa₂ = proline, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, (Positions glycine, valine, or threonine Xaa₁ = P3, Xaa₃ = alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, Xaa₂ = P2, or serine Xaa₃ = P1)  12 Consensus Amino acid, three letter Xaa₁ Pro Xaa₂ elastase format Xaa₁ = alanine, leucine, isoleucine, recognition methionine, lysine, or valine sequence 2 Xaa₂ = alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, (Positions or serine P3-P2-P1)  13 Consensus Amino acid, three letter Xaa₁ Xaa₂ Xaa₃ elastase format Xaa₁ = asparagine or alanine recognition Xaa₂ = proline or alanine sequence 3 Xaa₃ = alanine or leucine or valine (Positions P3-P2-P1)  14 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Ala Ala Ala recognition format sequence 1 (Positions P3-P2-P1)  15 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Asn Ala Ala recognition format sequence 2 (Positions P3-P2-P1)  16 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Asn Ala Pro recognition format sequence 3 (Positions P3-P2-P1)  17 Wild-type Amino acid, three letter Asn Ala Arg trypsin format recognition sequence (pPROT24) (Positions P3-P2-P1)  18 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Ala Pro Ala recognition format sequence 5 (Positions P3-P2-P1)  19 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Ala Ala Pro recognition format sequence 6 (Positions P3-P2-P1)  20 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Asn Pro Ala recognition format sequence 7 (Positions P3-P2-P1 of Variants 48 and 55)  21 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Leu Pro Ala recognition format sequence 8  22 Human Amino acid, three letter Thr Gln Asp Leu Pro Glu Thr Asn Ala Arg elastase format activation sequence 1 (Wild-type)  23 Human Amino acid, three letter Thr Gln Asp Leu Pro Glu Thr Asn Ala Ala elastase format activation sequence 2  24 pro-PROT- Amino acid, three letter Thr Asn Ala Arg Val Val Gly Gly 201 format cleavage site  25 pPROT40 Amino acid, three letter Thr Ala Ala Ala Val Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  26 pPROT41 Amino acid, three letter Thr Asn Ala Ala Ala Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  27 pPROT42 Amino acid, three letter Thr Asn Ala Ala Val Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  28 pPROT43 Amino acid, three letter Thr Asn Ala Pro Val Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  29 pPROT44 Amino acid, three letter Thr Gly Ala Gly Ile Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  30 pPROT45 Amino acid, three letter Thr Val Pro Gly Val Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  31 pPROT46 Amino acid, three letter Thr Ala Pro Gly Val Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  32 pPROT47 Amino acid, three letter Thr Asn Pro Gly Val Val Gly Gly cleavage site format  33 Coding Nucleotide ACCCAGGACCTTCCGGAAACCAATGCCCGCGTA region of a GTCGGAGGGACTGAGGCCGGGAGGAATTCCTG human GCCCTCTCAGATTTCCCTCCAGTACCGGTCTGG elastase-1 AGGTTCCCGGTATCACACCTGTGGAGGGACCCT (NCBI TATCAGACAGAACTGGGTGATGACAGCTGCTCA Accession CTGCGTGGATTACCAGAAGACTTTCCGCGTGGT No. GGCTGGAGACCATAACCTGAGCCAGAATGATGG NM_001971) CACTGAGCAGTACGTGAGTGTGCAGAAGATCGT GGTGCATCCATACTGGAACAGCGATAACGTGGC TGCCGGCTATGACATCGCCCTGCTGCGCCTGGC CCAGAGCGTTACCCTCAATAGCTATGTCCAGCTG GGTGTTCTGCCCCAGGAGGGAGCCATCCTGGCT AACAACAGTCCCTGCTACATCACAGGCTGGGGC AAGACCAAGACCAATGGGCAGCTGGCCCAGACC CTGCAGCAGGCTTACCTGCCCTCTGTGGACTAC GCCATCTGCTCCAGCTCCTCCTACTGGGGCTCC ACTGTGAAGAACACCATGGTGTGTGCTGGTGGA GATGGAGTTCGCTCTGGATGCCAGGGTGACTCT GGGGGCCCCCTCCATTGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAG TATTCTGTCCATGGAGTGACCAGCTTTGTGTCCA GCCGGGGCTGTAATGTCTCCAGGAAGCCTACAG TCTTCACCCAGGTCTCTGCTTACATCTCCTGGAT AAATAATGTCATCGCCTCCAACTGA  34 Yeast alpha Amino acid, three letter Met-Arg-Phe-Pro-Ser-Ile-Phe-Thr-Ala-Val-Leu- factor signal format Phe-Ala-Ala-Ser-Ser-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val- peptide Asn-Thr-  35 20F primer Nucleotide ggctcgagaaaagagaggctgaagctactcaggaccttccggaaac caatgcccgg  36 24R primer Nucleotide gggccgcggcttatcagttggaggcgatgacat  37 pPROT42 Amino acid, single letter AAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCG P3 cleavage format, wherein: GTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQN site variant X = V or L DGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLA elastase QSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKT KTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVK NTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSX HGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIA SN  38 pPROT42 Amino acid, single letter AVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGGT P2 cleavage format, wherein: LIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDG site variant X = V or L TEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQS elastase VTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKT NGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNT MVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHG VTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIASN  39 Mature Amino acid, single letter VVGGTEAQRNSWPSQISLQYRSGSSWAHTCGGTL porcine format IRQNWVMTAAHCVDRELTFRVVVGEHNLNQNDGT pancreatic EQYVGVQKIVVHPYWNTDDVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV elastase I TLNSYVQLGVLPRAGTILANNSPCYITGWGLTRTN (from GQLAQTLQQAYLPTVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNSM GenBank VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGQYAVHGV Accession TSFVSRLGCNVTRKPTVFTRVSAYISWINNVIASN P00772.1)  40 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Ala Ala Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 40  41 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Asn Ala Ala Ala Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 41  42 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Asn Ala Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 42  43 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Asn Ala Pro Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 43  44 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Gly Ala Gly Ile Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 44  45 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Val Pro Gly Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 45  46 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Ala Pro Gly Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 46  47 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Asn Pro Gly Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 47  48 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Asn Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 48  49 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Asn His Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 49  50 Yeast alpha- Amino acid, three letter Met-Arg-Phe-Pro-Ser-Ile-Phe-Thr-Ala-Val-Leu-Phe- mating factor format Ala-Ala-Ser-Ser-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-Asn-Thr- signal Thr-Thr-Glu-Asp-Glu-Thr-Ala-Gln-Ile-Pro-Ala-Glu- peptide, Ala-Val-Ile-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Leu-Glu-Gly-Asp-Phe- propeptide, Asp-Val-Ala-Val-Leu-Pro-Phe-Ser-Asn-Ser-Thr-Asn- and spacer Asn-Asn-Gly-Leu-Leu-Phe-Ile-Asn-Thr-Thr-Ile-Ala- sequence 1 Ser-Ile-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Glu-Gly-Val-Ser-Leu-Asp- Lys-Arg-Glu-Ala-Glu-Ala  51 Yeast alpha- Amino acid, three letter Met-Arg-Phe-Pro-Ser-Ile-Phe-Thr-Ala-Val-Leu-Phe- mating factor format Ala-Ala-Ser-Ser-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-VaI-Asn-Thr- signal Thr-Thr-Glu-Asp-Glu-Thr-Ala-Gln-Ile-Pro-Ala-Glu- peptide and Ala-Val-Ile-Gly-Tyr-Leu-Asp-Leu-Glu-Gly-Asp-Phe- propeptide Asp-Val-Ala-Val-Leu-Pro-Phe-Ser-Asn-Ser-Thr-Asn- sequence 2 Asn-Asn-Gly-Leu-Leu-Phe-Ile-Asn-Thr-Thr-Ile-Ala- Ser-Ile-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Glu-Gly-Val-Ser-Leu-Asp-  52 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Lys Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 52  53 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr His Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 53  54 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu His Asn Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 54  55 Elastase Amino acid, three letter His Thr Asn Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 55  56 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Pro Thr His Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 56  57 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Pro Thr Asn Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 57  58 Elastase Amino acid, three letter His Thr His Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 58  59 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Glu Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 59  60 Elastase Amino acid, three letter His Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 60  61 Elastase Amino acid, three letter Gly Thr Phe Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 61  62 Elastase Amino acid, three letter His Thr Gly Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 62  63 Elastase Amino acid, three letter His Thr Lys Pro Ala Val Val Gly variant format propeptide cleavage domain 63  64 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETNPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 48 TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN  65 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETNHAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 49 TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN  66 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETKPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 52 TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN  67 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TQDLPETHPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 53 TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN  68 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TQDLPEHNPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 54 TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN  69 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TQDLPHTNPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SRYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant X = V or L DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 55 TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYIS WINNVIASN  70 Wild-type Amino acid, single letter ARVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCG elastase + format, wherein: GTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQN AlaArg X = V or L DGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLA cleavage QSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKT variant KTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVK NTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSX HGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIA SN  71 Wild-type Amino acid, single letter RVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGG elastase + format, wherein: TLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQND Arg X = V or L GTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQ cleavage SVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTK variant TNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNT MVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHG VTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTQVSAYISWINNVIASN  72 Variant 48 Amino acid, three letter Thr Gln Asp Leu Pro Glu Thr Asn Pro Ala human format elastase activation peptide  73 Variant 55 Amino acid, three letter Thr Gln Asp Leu Pro His Thr Asn Pro Ala human format elastase activation peptide  74 Human Amino acid, three letter Xaa₁ Xaa₂ Xaa₃ Xaa₄ Xaa₅ Xaa₆ Xaa₇ Xaa₈ elastase format Xaa₁ = glutamate, histidine, proline, glycine, cleavage asparagine, lysine, or alanine domain Xaa₂ = threonine, alanine, proline or histidine consensus Xaa₃ = alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, sequence; lysine, asparagine or valine corresponds Xaa₄ = proline, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, to residues glycine, valine, or threonine p5, P4, P3, Xaa₅ = alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or P2, P1, P′1, serine P′2, and P′3 Xaa₆ = alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine or of an serine elastase Xaa₇ = glycine, alanine, or valine cleavage Xaa₈ = valine, threonine, phenylalanine, domain tyrosine, or tryptophan  75 PCR Nucleic Acid ATC TAC GTA GTC GGA GGG ACT GAG GCC mutagenesis primer  76 PCR Nucleic Acid gtc gac aag ctt atc agt tgg agg cga t mutagenesis primer  77 Mature ELA1 Protein, single letter VVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSRYHTCGGTL C-terminal format IRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT variant of EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV Talas et al. TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPPPLLGEWQVFSPW SDQLCVQPGL  78 Mature ELA- Protein, single letter VVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTL 1 variants format, wherein: IRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT B = W or R EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV J = M or V TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN X = V or L GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM Z = Q or R VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGV TSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN  79 Activation Protein, single letter TUDLPETNAR peptide format, wherein variants U = Q or H (wild-type, trypsin cleavable)  80 Activation Protein, three letter Thr Xaa₁ Asp Leu Pro Xaa₂ Xaa₃ Xaa₄ Xaa₅ Xaa₆ peptide format Xaa₁ = glutamine or histidine variant Xaa₂ = glutamate, histidine, proline, glycine, consensus asparagine, lysine, or alanine Xaa₃ = threonine, alanine, proline or histidine Xaa₄ = alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, lysine, asparagine or valine Xaa₅ = proline, alanine, leucine, isoleucine, glycine, valine, or threonine Xaa₆ = alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or serine  81 Coding Nucleotide ACTCAGGACCTTCCGGAAACCAATGCCCGGGTA region of GTCGGAGGGACTGAGGCCGGGAGGAACTCCTG ELA-1.2A GCCCTCTCAGATTTCCCTCCAGTACCGGTCTGG AGGTTCCTGGTATCACACCTGTGGAGGGACCCT TATCAGACAGAACTGGGTGATGACAGCTGCACA CTGCGTGGATTACCAGAAGACTTTCCGCGTGGT GGCTGGAGACCATAACCTGAGCCAGAATGATGG CACTGAGCAGTACGTGAGTGTGCAGAAGATCGT GGTGCATCCATACTGGAACAGCGATAACGTGGC TGCAGGCTATGACATCGCCCTGCTGCGCCTGGC CCAGAGCGTTACCCTCAATAGCTATGTCCAGCTG GGTGTTCTGCCCCAGGAGGGAGCCATCCTGGCT AACAACAGTCCCTGCTACATCACAGGCTGGGGC AAGACCAAGACCAATGGGCAGCTGGCCCAGACC TTGCAGCAGGCTTACCTGCCCTCTGTGGACTAT GCCATCTGCTCCAGCTCCTCCTACTGGGGCTCC ACTGTGAAGAACACTATGGTGTGTGCTGGTGGA GATGGAGTTCGCTCTGGATGTCAGGGTGACTCT GGGGGCCCCCTCCATTGCTTGGTGAATGGCAAG TATTCTCTTCATGGAGTGACCAGCTTTGTGTCCA GCCGGGGCTGTAATGTCTCTAGAAAGCCTACAG TCTTCACACGGGTCTCTGCTTACATCTCCTGGAT AAATAATGTCATCGCCTCCAACTGATAA  82 Translation Protein, single letter TQDLPETNARVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG product of format SWYHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG ELA-1.2A DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY (trypsin DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI activated TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY pPROT24 WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV sequence) NGKYSLHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTRVSAYIS WINNVIASN  83 Variants of Protein, single letter TUDLPETNARVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG translation format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG product of U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY ELA-1.2A B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI (trypsin J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY activated X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV pPROT24 Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS sequence) WINNVIASN  84 Mature Amino acid, single letter VVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTL human format, wherein: IRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT elastase I, B = W or R EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV including first J = M or V TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN “valine” X = V or L GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM Z = Q or R VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGV TSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN  85 Mature Amino acid, single letter VGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTLI human format, wherein: RQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGTE elastase I, B = W or R QYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSVT minus first J = M or V LNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTNG “valine” X = V or L QLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTMV Z = Q or R CAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGVT SFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN  86 Mature Amino acid, single letter GGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTLIR human format, wherein: QNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGTE elastase I, B = W or R QYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSVT minus first J = M or V LNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTNG two “valines” X = V or L QLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTMV Z = Q or R CAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGVT SFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN  87 Mature Amino acid, single letter AVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTL human format, wherein: IRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGT elastase I, B = W or R EQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSV with first J = M or V TLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTN “valine” X = V or L GQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTM substituted Z = Q or R VCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGV by “alanine” TSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN  88 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETNAAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 1 B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI (pPROT42 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY variant) X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN  89 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETNAAAVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 2 B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN  90 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETAAAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 3 B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN  91 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETNNAPVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 4 B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN  92 Engineered Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETNARVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG elastase format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG proprotein U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY no. 5 B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI (pPROT24 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY trypsin X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV activated Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS sequence) WINNVIASN  93 Consensus Amino acid, three letter Xaa₁ Pro Xaa₂ elastase format Xaa₁ = alanine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, recognition lysine, asparagine or valine sequence 2 Xaa₂ = alanine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, or (Positions serine P3-P2-P1)  94 pPROT42 Amino acid, single letter AAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCG P3 cleavage format, wherein: GTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQN site variant B = W or R DGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLA elastase J = M or V QSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKT X = V or L KTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVK Z = Q or R NTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSX HGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIA SN  95 pPROT42 Amino acid, single letter AVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGT P2 cleavage format, wherein: LIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDG site variant B = W or R TEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQS elastase J = M or V VTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKT X = V or L NGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNT Z = Q or R MVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHG VTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN  96 Yeast alpha- Amino acid, three letter Met-Arg-Phe-Pro-Ser-Ile-Phe-Thr-Ala-Val-Leu-Phe- mating factor format Ala-Ala-Ser-Ser-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-Asn-Thr- signal Thr-Thr-Glu-Asp-Glu-Thr-Ala-Gln-Ile-Pro-Ala-Glu- peptide, Ala-Val-Ile-Gly-Tyr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Glu-Gly-Asp-Phe- propeptide, Asp-Val-Ala-Val-Leu-Pro-Phe-Ser-Asn-Ser-Thr-Asn- and spacer Asn-Gly-Leu-Leu-Phe-Ile-Asn-Thr-Thr-Ile-Ala-Ser- sequence Ile-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Glu-Gly-Val-Ser-Leu-Glu-Lys- Arg-Glu-Ala-Glu-Ala  97 Yeast alpha- Amino acid, three letter Met-Arg-Phe-Pro-Ser-Ile-Phe-Thr-Ala-Val-Leu-Phe- mating factor format Ala-Ala-Ser-Ser-Ala-Leu-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-Asn-Thr- signal Thr-Thr-Glu-Asp-Glu-Thr-Ala-Gln-Ile-Pro-Ala-Glu- peptide and Ala-Val-Ile-Gly-Tyr-Ser-Asp-Leu-Glu-Gly-Asp-Phe- propeptide Asp-Val-Ala-Val-Leu-Pro-Phe-Ser-Asn-Ser-Thr-Asn- sequence Asn-Gly-Leu-Leu-Phe-Ile-Asn-Thr-Thr-Ile-Ala-Ser- Ile-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Glu-Gly-Val-Ser-Leu-Glu-  98 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETNPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 48 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN  99 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETNHAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 49 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN 100 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETKPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 52 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN 101 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TUDLPETHPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 53 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN 102 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TUDLPEHNPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 54 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN 103 Elastase Amino acid, single letter TUDLPHTNPAVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGG proenzyme format, wherein: SBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAG with variant U = Q or H DHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGY cleavage B = W or R DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYI domain 55 J = M or V TGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSY X = V or L WGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV Z = Q or R NGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYIS WINNVIASN 104 Wild-type Amino acid, single letter ARVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCG elastase + format, wherein: GTLIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQN AlaArg B = W or R DGTEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLA cleavage J = M or V QSVTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKT variant X = V or L KTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVK Z = Q or R NTMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSX HGVTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIA SN 105 Wild-type Amino acid, single letter RVVGGTEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGT elastase + format, wherein: LIRQNWVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDG Arg B = W or R TEQYVSVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQS cleavage J = M or V VTLNSYVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKT variant X = V or L NGQLAQTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNT Z = Q or R MVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHG VTSFVSSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN 106 Mature Amino acid, single letter TEAGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTLIRQN human format, wherein: WVJTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGTEQYV elastase I, B = W or R SVQKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSVTLNS minus N J = M or V YVQLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTNGQLA terminal X = V or L QTLQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTMVCAG “VVGG” Z = Q or R GDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGVTSFV sequence SSRGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN 107 Mature Amino acid, single letter AGRNSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTLIRQNWV human format, wherein: JTAAHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGTEQYVSV elastase I, B = W or R QKIVVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSVTLNSYV minus N J = M or V QLGVLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTNGQLAQT terminal X = V or L LQQAYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTMVCAGGD “VVGGTE” Z = Q or R GVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGVTSFVSS sequence RGCNVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN 108 Mature Amino acid, single letter NSWPSQISLQYRSGGSBYHTCGGTLIRQNWVJTA human format, wherein: AHCVDYQKTFRVVAGDHNLSQNDGTEQYVSVQKI elastase I, B = W or R VVHPYWNSDNVAAGYDIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLG minus N J = M or V VLPQEGAILANNSPCYITGWGKTKTNGQLAQTLQQ terminal X = V or L AYLPSVDYAICSSSSYWGSTVKNTMVCAGGDGVR “VVGGTEA Z = Q or R SGCQGDSGGPLHCLVNGKYSXHGVTSFVSSRGC GR” NVSRKPTVFTZVSAYISWINNVIASN sequence 109 FIG. 1A Nucleic Acid GAATTCAGTACTCAGGACCTTCCGGAAACCAATG sequence CCCGGGTAGTCGGAGGGACTGAGGCCGGGAGG AACTCCTGGCCCTCTCAGATTTCCCTCCAGTACC GGTCTGGAGGTTCCTGGTATCACACCTGTGGAG GGACCCTTATCAGACAGAACTGGGTGATGACAG CTGCACACTGCGTGGATTACCAGAAGACTTTCC GCGTGGTGGCTGGAGACCATAACCTGAGCCAGA ATGATGGCACTGAGCAGTACGTGAGTGTGCAGA AGATCGTGGTGCATCCATACTGGAACAGCGATA ACGTGGCTGCAGGCTATGACATCGCCCTGCTGC GCCTGGCCCAGAGCGTTACCCTCAATAGCTATG TCCAGCTGGGTGTTCTGCCCCAGGAGGGAGCCA TCCTGGCTAACAACAGTCCCTGCTACATCACAGG CTGGGGCAAGACCAAGACCAATGGGCAGCTGG CCCAGACCTTGCAGCAGGCTTACCTGCCCTCTG TGGACTATGCCATCTGCTCCAGCTCCTCCTACTG GGGCTCCACTGTGAAGAACACTATGGTGTGTGC TGGTGGAGATGGAGTTCGCTCTGGATGTCAGGG TGACTCTGGGGGCCCCCTCCATTGCTTGGTGAA TGGCAAGTATTCTCTTCATGGAGTGACCAGCTTT GTGTCCAGCCGGGGCTGTAATGTCTCTAGAAAG CCTACAGTCTTCACACGGGTCTCTGCTTACATCT CCTGGATAAATAATGTCATCGCCTCCAACTGATA AGCTTGGATCCGTCGAC 110 FIG. 1A Amino Acid, single letter MKRILAIHQAMEGAPRVTLTSRANSISTSTHHSVLH sequence format SGAPVGGAGADGIVHRGQVSLLQGLGQLPIGLGLA PACDVAGTVVSQDGSLLGQNTQLDIAIEGNALGQA QQGDVIACSHVIAVPVWMHHDLLHTHVLLSAIILAQ VMVSSHHAESLLVIHAVCSCHHPVLSDKGPSTGVI PGTSRPVLEGNLRGPGVPPGLSPSDYPGIGFRKVL S 111 FIG. 1B Nucleic Acid ACTATTGCCAGCATTGCTGCTAAAGAAGAAGGG sequence GTATCTCTCGAGAAAAGAGAGGCTGAAGCTACT CAGGACCTTCCGGAAACCAATGCCCGGGTAGTC GGGGGG 112 FIG. 1B Amino Acid, three letter THR ILE ALA SER ILE ALA ALA LYS GLU GLU GLY sequence format VAL SER LEU GLU LYS ARG GLU ALA GLU ALA THR GLN ASP LEU PRO GLU THR ASN ALA ARG VAL VAL GLY GLY 113 FIG. 13 Nucleic Acid CCGCGGACCCAGGACTTTCCAGAAACCAACGCC sequence CGGGTAGTTGGAGGGACCGAGGCTCAGAGGAA TTCTTGGCCATCTCAGATTTCCCTCCAGTACCGG TCTGGAAGTTCGTGGGCTCACACCTGTGGAGGG ACCCTCATCAGGCAGAACTGGGTGATGACAGCC GCTCACTGCGTGGACAGAGAGTTGACCTTCCGT GTGGTGGTTGGAGAGCACAACCTGAACCAGAAC GATGGCACCGAGCAGTACGTGGGGGTGCAGAA GATCGTGGTGCATCCCTACTGGAACACCGACGA CGTGGCTGCAGGCTATGACATCGCCCTGCTGCG CCTGGCCCAGAGTGTAACCCTCAACAGCTACGT CCAGCTGGGTGTTCTGCCAAGGGCTGGGACCAT CCTGGCTAACAACAGTCCCTGCTACATCACAGG GTGGGGCCTGACCAGGACCAATGGGCAGCTGG CCCAGACCCTGCAGCAGGCTTACCTGCCCACCG TGGACTACGCCATCTGCTCCAGCTCCTCGTACT GGGGCTCCACCGTGAAGAACAGCATGGTGTGCG CCGGAGGGGACGGAGTTCGCTCTGGATGTCAG GGTGATTCTGGGGGCCCCCTTCATTGCTTGGTG AATGGTCAGTATGCTGTCCACGGTGTAACCAGCT TCGTGTCCCGCCTGGGCTGTAATGTCACCAGGA AGCCCACAGTCTTCACCAGGGTCTCTGCTTACAT CTCTTGGATAAATAACGTCATTGCCAGCAACTGA TAATCTAGA 114 FIG. 14 Amino Acid, single letter TQDFPETNARVVGGTEAQRNSWPSQISLQYRSGS sequence format SWAHTCGGTLIRQNWVMTAAHCVDRELTFRVVVG EHNLNQNDGTEQYVGVQKIVVHPYWNTDDVAAGY DIALLRLAQSVTLNSYVQLGVLPRAGTILANNSPCYI TGWGLTRTNGQLAQTLQQAYLPTVDYAICSSSSY WGSTVKNSMVCAGGDGVRSGCQGDSGGPLHCLV NGQYAVHGVTSFVSRLGCNVTRKPTVFTRVSAYIS WINNVIASN 115 Cleavage Amino Acid, three letter Phe Pro Glu Thr Asn Ala Arg Val Val Gly domain format sequence of trypsin- activated pPROT101- 24-V 116 Cleavage Amino Acid Phe Pro Glu Thr Asn Ala Ala Val Val Gly domain sequence of auto- activated pPROT101- 42-V 117 Cleavage Amino Acid Leu Pro His Thr Asn Pro Ala Val Val Gly domain sequence of auto- activated pPROT101- 49-V 118 Cleavage Amino Acid Phe Pro Glu Thr Asn His Ala Val Val Gly domain sequence of auto- activated pPROT101- 55L-V

8. SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS, CITATION OF REFERENCES

The present invention is exemplified by the specific embodiments below.

1. A protein comprising (i) an elastase activation sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence operably linked to (ii) the amino acid sequence of a mature elastase.

2. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:11.

3. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:12.

4. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:13.

5. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:93.

6. The protein of embodiment 1, embodiment 2 or embodiment 4, wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises any one of SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20 or SEQ ID NO:21.

7. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the activation sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:80.

8. The protein of embodiment 1 or embodiment 7, wherein the activation sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:72, or SEQ ID NO:73.

9. The protein of embodiment 1, wherein the protein comprises a cleavage domain comprising SEQ ID NO:74.

10. The protein of embodiment 1 or embodiment 9, wherein the cleavage domain comprises any one of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:54 and SEQ ID NO:55.

11. The protein of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 and 7 which comprises SEQ ID NO:64.

12. The protein of any one of embodiments 1 to 5 and 7 which comprises SEQ ID NO:69.

13. A type I proelastase protein comprising a cleavage domain sequence of SEQ ID NO:74.

14. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 13, wherein the cleavage domain comprises any one of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:54 or SEQ ID NO:55.

15. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, wherein the mature elastase sequence comprises a sequence having at least 85% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence from position 6 (e.g., C-terminal to the P5′ residue according to the elastase amino acid designations herein) to the end of SEQ ID NO:84 or SEQ ID NO:1.

16. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, which comprises a sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence from position 6 (e.g., C-terminal to the P5′ residue according to the elastase amino acid designations herein) to the end of SEQ ID NO:84 or SEQ ID NO:1.

17. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, which comprises a sequence having at least 98% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence from position 6 to the end of SEQ ID NO:84 or SEQ ID NO:1.

18. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, wherein the mature elastase comprises a sequence having up to 10 conservative amino acid changes relative to the amino acid sequence from position 6 to the end of SEQ ID NO:84 or SEQ ID NO:1.

19. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, which comprises a sequence having up to 7 conservative amino acid changes relative to the amino acid sequence from position 6 to the end of SEQ ID NO:84 or SEQ ID NO:1.

20. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 13 or embodiment 14, which comprises a sequence having up to 5 conservative amino acid changes relative to the amino acid sequence from position 6 to the end of SEQ ID NO:84 or SEQ ID NO:1.

21. The type I proelastase protein of any one of embodiments 13 to 20, wherein the amino acid residue denoted by “Xaa₁” in SEQ ID NO:74 is glutamate or histidine.

22. The type I proelastase protein of any one of embodiments 13 to 21, wherein the amino acid residue denoted by “Xaa₄” in SEQ ID NO:74 is proline.

23. The type I proelastase protein of any one of embodiments 13 to 22, wherein the amino acid residue denoted by “Xaa₅” in SEQ ID NO:74 is alanine.

24. The type I proelastase protein of any one of embodiments 13 to 23, wherein the amino acid residue denoted by “Xaa₁” in SEQ ID NO:74 is histidine, by “Xaa₄” in SEQ ID NO:74 is proline, and by “Xaa₅” in SEQ ID NO:74 is alanine.

25. The type I proelastase protein of any one of embodiments 13 to 24 which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:103.

26. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 25 which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64.

27. The type I proelastase protein of embodiment 25 which comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:69.

28. The protein of any one of embodiments 1 to 27 which is isolated.

29. The protein of any one of embodiments 1 to 27 which comprises a signal sequence.

30. A protein comprising (i) a signal sequence; (ii) an elastase activation sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence; and (iii) the amino acid sequence of a mature elastase.

31. The protein of embodiment 30, wherein the signal sequence is operable in Pichia pastoris.

32. The protein of embodiment 30, wherein the signal sequence is a yeast α-factor signal peptide.

33. The protein of embodiment 32, wherein the yeast α-factor signal peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:34.

34. The protein of embodiment 30, wherein the signal sequence is a mammalian secretion signal sequence.

35. The protein of embodiment 34, wherein the mammalian secretion signal sequence is a porcine type I elastase signal sequence.

36. The protein of embodiment 34, wherein the mammalian secretion signal sequence is a human type I elastase signal sequence.

37. The protein of embodiment 1 or embodiment 30 wherein the elastase recognition sequence is a type I human elastase recognition sequence.

38. The protein of embodiment 1 or embodiment 30 wherein the mature elastase is a human type I elastase.

39. The protein of embodiment 1 or embodiment 30 wherein the mature elastase is a porcine type I elastase.

40. A nucleic acid encoding a protein of any one of embodiments 1 to 39.

41. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a protein, said protein comprising (i) an activation sequence comprising an elastase recognition sequence operably linked to (ii) the amino acid sequence of an elastase.

42. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 41, wherein the protein further comprises a signal sequence operably linked to said activation sequence.

43. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 41 or embodiment 42, wherein the signal sequence is operable in Pichia pastoris.

44. The nucleic acid of any one of embodiments 41 to 43, wherein the elastase recognition sequence is a type I elastase recognition sequence.

45. The nucleic acid of any one of embodiments 41 to 44, wherein the elastase recognition sequence is a type I human elastase recognition sequence.

46. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 45 wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:11.

47. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 45 wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:12.

48. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 45 wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:13.

49. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 45 wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:93.

50. The nucleic acid of any one of embodiments 41 to 46 and 48, wherein the elastase recognition sequence comprises any one of SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20 or SEQ ID NO:21.

51. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 50, wherein the activation sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:80.

52. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 45 and 51, wherein the activation sequence comprises SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:72, or SEQ ID NO:73.

53. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 46, wherein the protein comprises a cleavage domain comprising SEQ ID NO:74.

54. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 46 and 53, wherein the cleavage domain comprises any one of SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:54 and SEQ ID NO:55.

55. The nucleic acid of any one of embodiments 41 to 54, wherein the elastase is a mature human type I elastase.

56. The nucleic acid of any one of embodiments 41 to 54, wherein the elastase is a mature porcine type I elastase.

57. The nucleic acid of any one of embodiments 41 to 54, wherein the elastase comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:84, SEQ ID NO:87, and SEQ ID NO:39.

58. The nucleic acid of embodiment 57 wherein the elastase comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:4.

59. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 42 to 58, wherein the signal sequence is a yeast α-factor signal peptide.

60. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 59, wherein the protein comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:50, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:96 and SEQ ID NO:97.

61. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 42 and 44 to 58, wherein the signal sequence is a mammalian secretion signal sequence.

62. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 61 wherein the mammalian secretion signal sequence is a porcine type I elastase signal sequence.

63. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 61 wherein the mammalian secretion signal sequence is a human type I elastase signal sequence.

64. The nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 63, wherein the protein comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS.: 88 to 91 and 98 to 103.

65. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 64, wherein the protein comprises the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOS.: 6 to 9 and 64 to 69.

66. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 64, wherein the protein comprises any of the combinations of elastase polymorphisms set forth in Table 2.

67. The nucleic acid molecule of embodiment 64, wherein the protein comprises any of the combinations of elastase polymorphisms set forth in Table 3.

68. A protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 67.

69. The protein of embodiment 68 which is isolated.

70. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 67.

71. The vector of embodiment 70 further comprising a nucleotide sequence that controls gene expression is operably linked to the nucleotide sequence which encodes said protein.

72. The vector of embodiment 70 or embodiment 71 in which the nucleotide sequence which encodes said protein is multimerized.

73. A host cell comprising the vector of any one of embodiments 70 to 72.

74. The host cell of embodiment 73 in which at least one copy of said vector is integrated into the host cell genome.

75. The host cell of embodiment 74 in which one copy of said vector is integrated into the host cell genome.

76. The host cell of embodiment 74 in which two to five copies of said vector are integrated into the host cell genome.

77. The host cell of embodiment 74 or 76 in which two copies of said vector are integrated into the host cell genome.

78. The host cell of embodiment 74 or 76 in which three copies of said vector are integrated into the host cell genome.

79. A host cell comprising at least one copy of the nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 67 integrated into its genome.

80. The host cell of embodiment 79 in which one copy of said nucleic acid molecule is integrated into its genome.

81. The host cell of embodiment 79 in which two to five copies of said nucleic acid molecule is integrated into its genome.

82. The host cell of embodiment 79 in which two copies of said nucleic acid molecule is integrated into its genome.

83. The host cell of embodiment 79 in which three copies of said nucleic acid molecule is integrated into its genome.

84. A cell genetically engineered to express the nucleic acid molecule of any one of embodiments 41 to 67.

85. The cell of embodiment 84, wherein the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a methanol-inducible promoter.

86. A Pichia pastoris cell genetically engineered to express the nucleotide sequence of any one of embodiments 41 to 67.

87. The Pichia pastoris cell of embodiment 87, in which the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a methanol inducible promoter.

88. A cell culture supernatant comprising the protein of any one of embodiments 1 to 27 or embodiment 68.

89. A method of producing an elastase protein, comprising culturing the host cell of embodiment 84 under conditions in which the protein is produced.

90. A method of producing an elastase protein, comprising culturing the host cell of embodiment 85 under conditions in which the protein is produced.

91. A method of producing an elastase protein, comprising culturing the host cell of embodiment 86 under conditions in which the protein is produced.

92. A method of producing an elastase protein, comprising culturing the host cell of embodiment 87 under conditions in which the protein is produced.

93. The method of embodiment 91 or embodiment 92, wherein said conditions include a period of growth or induction at a pH of 2 to 6.

94. The method of embodiment 91 or embodiment 92, wherein said conditions comprise a period of growth or induction at a temperature of 22° C. to 28° C.

95. The method of any one of embodiments 89 to 92, wherein the host cell is cultured in complex medium.

96. The method of embodiment 95, wherein the complex medium is buffered methanol-complex medium or buffered glycerol-complex medium.

97. The method of any one of embodiments 89 to 96, wherein the host cell is cultured in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.

98. The method of embodiment 97, wherein the citrate, succinate or acetate compound is sodium citrate, sodium succinate or sodium acetate, respectively.

99. The method of embodiment 97 or embodiment 98, wherein one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture at a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

100. The method of embodiment 97 or embodiment 98, wherein more than one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture, and wherein the total concentration of citrate, succinate or acetate compounds in said solution is 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

101. The method of any one of embodiments 89 to 100 further comprising recovering the protein.

102. The method of embodiment 95, wherein the protein is recovered by recovering the supernatant.

103. The method of embodiment 95, wherein the protein is recovered from the supernatant.

104. The method of embodiment any one of embodiments 95 to 104, wherein the protein recovered lacks the signal sequence.

105. The method of embodiment any one of embodiments 95 to 104, wherein the protein recovered lacks both the signal sequence and the activation sequence.

106. The method of any one of embodiments 89 to 92 and 93 to 105, further comprising raising the pH of a solution containing the protein to a pH of 6 to 12.

107. The method of any one of embodiments 89 to 92 and 93 to 106, which further comprises contacting the protein with a catalytic amount of an elastase.

108. The method of any one of embodiments 89 to 92 and 93 to 106, which further comprises subjecting the protein to autoactivating conditions, contacting the protein with a catalytic amount of an elastase, or both.

109. The method of embodiment 108, wherein the protein is subjected to autoactivation conditions.

110. The method of embodiment 109, wherein the protein is in the supernatant when subjected to autoactivation conditions.

111. A method of producing an elastase protein, comprising:

-   -   (a) culturing a host cell capable of expressing a recombinant         proelastase protein in the presence of a first citrate,         succinate or acetate compound;     -   (b) recovering the recombinant proelastase protein from said         host cell culture; and     -   (c) optionally, exposing the recombinant proelastase protein to         activation conditions to produce a mature elastase protein.

thereby producing an elastase protein.

112. The method of embodiment 111, wherein the method comprises the step of exposing the recombinant proelastase protein to activation conditions to produce a mature elastase protein.

113. The method of embodiment 112, wherein the recombinant proelastase protein is purified prior to said exposure to activating conditions.

114. The method of embodiment 113, wherein said recombinant proelastase protein is purified in the presence of a second citrate, succinate or acetate compound, such that a solution comprising said purified proelastase protein and second citrate, succinate or acetate compound is produced.

115. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 114, wherein said first citrate, succinate or acetate compound is sodium citrate, sodium succinate or sodium acetate, respectively.

116. The method of embodiment 114 or embodiment 115, wherein said second citrate, succinate or acetate compound is sodium citrate, sodium succinate or sodium acetate, respectively.

117. The method of any one of embodiments 114 to 116, wherein said first and second citrate, succinate or acetate compound are the same.

118. The method of any one of embodiments 114 to 116, wherein said first and second citrate, succinate or acetate compound are different.

119. The method of any one of embodiments 114 to 118, wherein one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture at a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

120. The method of any one of embodiments 114 to 118, wherein more than one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture, and wherein the total concentration of citrate, succinate or acetate compounds in said culture is 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

121. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 120, wherein one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said solution at a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

122. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 120, wherein more than one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said solution, and wherein the total concentration of citrate, succinate or acetate compounds in said solution is 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

123. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 122, wherein the host cell is cultured in complex medium.

124. The method of embodiment 123, wherein the complex medium is buffered methanol-complex medium or buffered glycerol-complex medium.

125. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 124 wherein the proelastase protein is recovered from the supernatant of said host cell.

126. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 125, wherein said activation conditions comprise exposure to trypsin.

127. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 125, wherein said activation conditions are autoactivation conditions.

128. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 127 which further comprises the step of isolating said mature elastase protein.

129. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 128, wherein the mature elastase protein is a mature type I elastase protein.

130. The method of embodiment 129, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a human type I mature elastase protein.

131. The method of embodiment 129, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

132. A method of producing a mature elastase protein, comprising:

-   -   (a) lyophilizing a proelastase protein;     -   (b) storing the lyophilized proelastase protein;     -   (c) reconstituting the lyophilized proelastase protein; and     -   (d) activating the reconstituted proelastase protein, thereby         producing a mature elastase protein.

133. The method of embodiment 132, wherein the proelastase protein is recombinant.

134. The method of embodiment 133, wherein the proelastase protein is made by or obtainable by a process comprising (i) culturing a host cell that is capable of expressing the proelastase protein under conditions in which the proelastase protein is expressed; and (ii) recovering the proelastase protein.

135. The method of embodiment 134, wherein the host cell is cultured in complex medium.

136. The method of embodiment 135, wherein the complex medium is buffered methanol-complex medium or buffered glycerol-complex medium.

137. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 136, wherein the host cell is cultured in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.

138. The method of embodiment 137, wherein the citrate, succinate or acetate compound is sodium citrate, sodium succinate or sodium acetate, respectively.

139. The method of embodiment 137 or embodiment 138, wherein one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture at a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

140. The method of embodiment 137 or embodiment 138, wherein more than one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture, and wherein the total concentration of citrate, succinate or acetate compounds in said solution is 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

141. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 140 wherein the proelastase protein is recovered from the supernatant of said host cell.

142. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 141, wherein the proelastase protein is purified prior to lyophilization.

143. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 142, wherein the lyophilized proelastase protein is stored for a period of at least one day, at least one week, at least one month or at least three months.

144. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 143, wherein the proelastase protein is stored at a temperature of −80° C. to +4° C.

145. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 144, wherein said activating step comprises trypsin activation.

146. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 144, wherein said activating step comprises autoactivation.

147. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 146 which further comprises the step of isolating said mature elastase protein.

148. The method of any one of embodiments 132 to 147, wherein the mature elastase protein is a mature type I elastase protein.

149. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a human type I mature elastase protein.

150. The method of embodiment 148, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

151. A method of producing a mature type I elastase protein comprising subjecting a recombinant autoactivated type I proelastase protein to autoactivation conditions, contacting a recombinant autoactivated type I proelastase protein with a catalytic amount of elastase, or both, thereby producing a mature type I elastase protein.

152. The method of embodiment 151, wherein said recombinant autoactivated type I proelastase protein is obtained by or obtainable by a process comprising:

-   -   (a) culturing the host cell of embodiment 84 or 86 under         conditions in which the protein is expressed; and     -   (b) recovering the expressed protein,

thereby producing a recombinant autoactivated type I proelastase protein.

153. The method of embodiment 152, wherein the host cell is cultured in complex medium.

154. The method of embodiment 153, wherein the complex medium is buffered methanol-complex medium or buffered glycerol-complex medium.

155. The method of any one of embodiments 152 to 154, wherein the host cell is cultured in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.

156. The method of embodiment 155, wherein the citrate, succinate or acetate compound is sodium citrate, sodium succinate or sodium acetate, respectively.

157. The method of embodiment 155 or embodiment 156, wherein one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture at a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

158. The method of embodiment 155 or embodiment 156, wherein more than one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture, and wherein the total concentration of citrate, succinate or acetate compounds in said solution is 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

159. The method of any one of embodiments 152 to 158, wherein recovering the expressed protein comprises recovering the supernatant.

160. The method of embodiment 159, wherein said autoactivation step is performed in the supernatant.

161. The method of any one of embodiments 152 to 154, wherein the expressed protein is recovered from the supernatant.

162. The method of embodiment 161, wherein said autoactivation step is performed in the supernatant.

163. The method of embodiment 161, which further comprises the step of purifying the expressed protein.

164. The method of any one of embodiments 151 to 163, wherein subjecting the recombinant autoactivated type I proelastase protein to autoactivation conditions comprises raising the pH of a solution containing the recovered protein.

165. The method of embodiment 164, wherein the pH of the solution is raised to a basic pH.

166. The method of embodiment 165, wherein the basic pH is in a range from 7 to 9.

167. The method of embodiment 166, wherein the basic pH is 8.

168. The method of any one of embodiments 164 to 167, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of 10 mg/ml or less in said solution.

169. The method of any one of embodiments 164 to 167, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of 5 mg/ml or less in said solution.

170. The method of any one of embodiments 164 to 167, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of 2 mg/ml or less in said solution.

171. The method of any one of embodiments 164 to 167, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of 1 mg/ml or less in said solution.

172. The method of any one of embodiments 164 to 167, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml or less in said solution.

173. The method of any one of embodiments 164 to 167, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml or less in said solution.

174. The method of any one of embodiments 165 to 173, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of at least 0.1 mg/ml in said solution.

175. The method of any one of embodiments 165 to 173, wherein the recovered protein is at a concentration of at least 0.2 mg/ml in said solution.

176. The method of any one of embodiments 165 to 175 wherein the recovered protein is exposed to the basic pH for a period of 0.5 to 8 hours.

177. The method of embodiment 174, wherein the recovered protein is exposed to the basic pH for a period of 2 to 7 hours.

178. The method of embodiment 177, wherein the recovered protein is exposed to the basic pH for a period of 6 hours.

179. The method of any one of embodiments 165 to 178, wherein said exposure to a basic pH is performed at a temperature of 22° C. to 28° C.

180. The method of embodiment 179, wherein said exposure to a basic pH is performed at a temperature of 26° C.

181. The method of embodiment 152 to 180, wherein the recovered protein is stored prior to autoactivation.

182. The method of embodiment 181, wherein the recovered protein is lyophilized prior to storage.

183. The method of embodiment 182, wherein the recovered protein is purified prior to lyophilization.

184. The method of any one of embodiments 181 to 183, wherein the recovered protein is stored for a period of at least one day, at least one week, at least one month or at least three months.

185. The method of embodiment 184, wherein the recovered protein is stored at a temperature from 80° C. to +4° C.

186. The method of any one of embodiments 150 to 185 inasfar as such embodiments do not depend on embodiments 160 or 162, wherein the recombinant autoactivated type I proelastase is purified prior to subjecting it to autoactivation conditions.

187. The method of any one of embodiments 150 to 186, which further comprises the step of isolating said mature type I elastase protein.

188. The method of any one of embodiments 150 to 187, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a human type I mature elastase protein.

189. The method of any one of embodiments 150 to 187, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

190. A method of producing a mature type I elastase protein comprising:

-   -   (a) culturing the host cell of embodiment 84 or 86 under         conditions in which the protein is expressed;     -   (b) recovering the expressed protein;     -   (c) purifying the recovered protein;     -   (d) raising the pH of a solution containing the protein or         contacting the recovered protein with a catalytic amount of         elastase to produce a mature type I elastase protein,     -   thereby producing a mature type I elastase protein.

191. The method of embodiment 190, wherein the host cell is cultured in complex medium.

192. The method of embodiment 191, wherein the complex medium is buffered methanol-complex medium or buffered glycerol-complex medium.

193. The method of any one of embodiments 190 to 192, wherein the host cell is cultured in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.

194. The method of embodiment 193, wherein the citrate, succinate or acetate compound is sodium citrate, sodium succinate or sodium acetate, respectively.

195. The method of embodiment 193 or embodiment 194, wherein one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture at a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

196. The method of embodiment 193 or embodiment 194, wherein more than one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture, and wherein the total concentration of citrate, succinate or acetate compounds in said solution is 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

197. The method of any one of embodiments 190 to 196, which further comprises the step of (e) purifying said mature type I elastase.

198. The method of any one of embodiments 190 to 197, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a human type I mature elastase protein.

199. The method of any one of embodiments 190 to 197, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

200. A method of producing a mature type I elastase protein comprising:

-   -   (a) culturing the host cell of embodiment 84 or 86 under         conditions in which the protein is expressed;     -   (b) recovering the expressed protein; and     -   (c) exposing the recovered protein to a basic pH until a mature         protein is produced;

thereby producing a mature type I elastase protein.

201. The method of embodiment 200, wherein the host cell is cultured in complex medium.

202. The method of embodiment 201, wherein the complex medium is buffered methanol-complex medium or buffered glycerol-complex medium.

203. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 202, wherein the host cell is cultured in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.

204. The method of embodiment 203, wherein the citrate, succinate or acetate compound is sodium citrate, sodium succinate or sodium acetate, respectively.

205. The method of embodiment 203 or embodiment 204, wherein one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture at a concentration of 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

206. The method of embodiment 203 or embodiment 204, wherein more than one citrate, succinate or acetate compound is present in said culture, and wherein the total concentration of citrate, succinate or acetate compounds in said solution is 5-50 mM, 7.5-100 mM, 10-150 mM, 50-200 mM, 100-150 mM, 75-125 mM, or 90-110 mM.

207. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 206, wherein the basic pH is 7 to 9.

208. The method of embodiment 207, wherein the basic pH is 8.

209. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 208, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of 10 mg/ml or less when exposed to the basic pH.

210. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 208, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of 5 mg/ml or less when exposed to the basic pH.

211. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 208, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of 2 mg/ml or less when exposed to the basic pH.

212. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 208, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of 1 mg/ml or less when exposed to the basic pH.

213. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 208, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml or less when exposed to the basic pH.

214. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 208, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml or less when exposed to the basic pH.

215. The method of any one of embodiments 209 to 214, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of at least 0.1 mg/ml when exposed to the basic pH.

216. The method of any one of embodiments 209 to 214, wherein recovered protein is at a concentration of at least 0.2 mg/ml when exposed to the basic pH.

217. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 214, wherein the recovered protein is exposed to the basic pH for a period of 0.5 to 8 hours.

218. The method of embodiment 217, wherein the recovered protein is exposed to the basic pH for a period of 2 to 7 hours.

219. The method of embodiment 218, wherein the recovered protein is exposed to the basic pH for a period of 6 hours.

220. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 219, wherein said exposure to a basic pH is performed at a temperature of 22° C. to 28° C.

221. The method of embodiment 220, wherein said exposure to a basic pH is performed at a temperature of 26° C.

222. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 221, which further comprises the step of (d) isolating said mature type I elastase protein.

223. The method of any one of embodiments 150 to 222, wherein the mature type I elastase is a mature porcine type I elastase.

224. The method of any one of embodiments 150 to 222, wherein the mature type I elastase is a mature human type I elastase.

225. A method of producing a formulation of mature elastase protein, comprising:

-   -   (a) subjecting an autoactivated proelastase protein to         autoactivating conditions to produce mature elastase protein;         and     -   (b) formulating the mature elastase protein,

thereby producing a formulation of mature elastase protein.

226. The method of embodiment 225, wherein the autoactivated proelastase protein is recombinant.

227. The method of embodiment 226 further comprising, prior to step (a) recovering the proelastase protein from a culture of a host cell capable of expressing said autoactivated proelastase protein grown under conditions in which the proelastase protein is expressed.

228. The method of embodiment 225 or embodiment 226, further comprising, prior to step (b), purifying said mature elastase protein.

229. The method of any one of embodiments 225 to 228, wherein said formulating step comprises lyophilizing said mature elastase protein.

230. The method of embodiment 229, wherein the mature elastase protein is not mixed with buffer or buffer ingredients prior to lyophilization.

231. The method of embodiment 230, wherein the mature elastase protein is mixed with one or more buffer ingredients following lyophilization.

232. The method of embodiment 229, wherein the mature elastase protein is mixed with buffer or one or more buffer ingredients prior to lyophilization.

233. The method of embodiment 231 or 232, wherein the buffer is a phosphate buffered saline (“PBS”) buffer or the buffer ingredients are PBS buffer ingredients.

234. The method of any one of embodiments 231 to 233, wherein the buffer comprises dextran or wherein the buffer ingredients comprise dextran.

235. The method of embodiment 234, wherein the dextran is dextran-18.

236. The method of any one of embodiments 230 to 235, wherein the buffer comprises polysorbate 80.

237. The method of any one of embodiments 229 to 236, wherein said formulating step further comprises reconstituting the lyophilized mature elastase protein with a liquid.

238. The method of embodiment 237, wherein the liquid is water.

239. The method of embodiment 237, wherein the liquid is a buffer.

240. The method of embodiment 239, wherein the buffer is full strength buffer, greater than full strength buffer, or less than full strength buffer.

241. The method of any one of embodiments 237 to 240, wherein upon reconstitution a solution of mature elastase protein in full strength buffer, greater than full strength buffer, or less than full strength buffer is produced.

242. The method of embodiment 241, wherein buffer ingredients are present in the lyophilisate, added upon reconstitution, or both.

243. The method of any one of embodiments 240 to 242, wherein full strength buffer comprises 1×PBS.

244. The method of embodiment 240 or 241, wherein the less than full strength buffer comprises 0.1×PBS to 0.5×PBS.

245. The method of embodiment 244, wherein the less than full strength buffer comprises 0.1×PBS.

246. The method of embodiment 244, wherein the less than full strength buffer comprises 0.5×PBS.

247. The method of embodiment 240 or 241, wherein the greater than full strength buffer comprises 1. X PBS to 3×PBS.

248. The method of embodiment 247, wherein the greater than full strength buffer comprises 1.5×PBS to 2×PBS.

249. The method of any one of embodiments 241 to 248, wherein the buffer comprises dextran.

250. The method of embodiment 249, wherein the dextran is dextran 18.

251. The method of any one of embodiments 241 to 250, wherein the buffer comprises polysorbate 80.

252. The method of any one of embodiments 241 to 251, wherein the buffer is at a pH of 7 to 8.

253. The method of embodiment 252, wherein the buffer is at a pH of 7.4.

254. The method of any one of embodiments 237 to 253, wherein the mature elastase protein is reconstituted to a concentration of 0.001 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml.

255. The method of embodiment 254, wherein the mature elastase protein is reconstituted to a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml to 40 mg/ml.

256. The method of embodiment 255, wherein the mature elastase protein is reconstituted to a concentration of 5 mg/ml to 30 mg/ml.

257. The method of embodiment 256, wherein the mature elastase protein is reconstituted to a concentration of 10 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml.

258. The method of any one of embodiments 225 to 257, wherein said formulation is a pharmaceutical composition comprising said mature elastase protein.

259. The method of any one of embodiments 225 to 258, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a human type I mature elastase protein.

260. The method of any one of embodiments 225 to 258, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

261. A method of producing a lyophilized mature type I elastase comprising:

-   -   (a) producing a mature type I elastase according to the method         of any one of embodiments 151 to 181;     -   (b) isolating mature type I elastase; and     -   (c) lyophilizing said isolated mature type I elastase,

thereby producing a lyophilized mature type I elastase.

262. The method of embodiment 261, wherein the lyophilized mature type I elastase is 95% to 100% pure.

263. The method of embodiment 261 or embodiment 262, wherein the lyophilized mature type I elastase is at least 95% pure.

264. The method of embodiment 261 or embodiment 262, wherein the lyophilized mature type I elastase is at least 98% pure.

265. The method of any one of embodiments 261 to 264, wherein the lyophilized mature type I elastase is purified to homogeneity.

266. The method of any one of embodiments 261 to 265, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a human type I mature elastase protein.

267. The method of any one of embodiments 261 to 265, wherein the mature type I elastase protein is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

268. The method of any one of embodiments 130, 149, 188, 198, 223, 259, and 267, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:84, or SEQ ID NO:87.

269. The method of embodiment 268, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:4.

270. The method of any one of embodiments 131, 150, 189, 199, 224, 260, and 268, wherein the mature porcine type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:39.

271. The method of any one of embodiments 111 to 128, 132 to 148, 151 to 197 and 225 to 257, wherein the proelastase protein is a protein of any one of embodiments 13 to 27.

272. The method of any one of embodiments 200 to 222, wherein the expressed protein is a protein of any one of embodiments 13 to 27.

273. A mature human type I elastase produced by or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 149, 188, 198, and 223.

274. The mature human type I elastase of embodiment 273 which has a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg protein.

275. A mature porcine type I elastase produced by or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 150, 189, 199, and 224.

276. The mature human type I elastase of embodiment 275 which has a specific activity of 10 to 100 U/mg protein.

277. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of (a) the mature human type I elastase of embodiment 273 or embodiment 274 or (b) a formulation of mature human type I elastase produced by or obtainable by the method of embodiment 259.

278. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 277, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:84, or SEQ ID NO:87.

279. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 278, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:4.

280. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of (a) the mature porcine type I elastase of embodiment 275 or embodiment 276 or (b) a formulation of mature porcine type I elastase produced by or obtainable by the method of embodiment 260.

281. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 280, wherein the mature porcine type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:39.

282. A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of mature human type I elastase and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which pharmaceutical composition is characterized by at least one of the following properties:

-   -   (a) the composition is free of trypsin;     -   (b) the composition is substantially free of trypsin;     -   (c) the composition is free of any protein consisting of SEQ ID         NOS: 2, 3, 37, 38, 70 and/or 71;     -   (d) the composition is substantially free of any protein         consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3, 37, 38, 70 and/or 71;     -   (e) the composition is free of bacterial proteins;     -   (f) the composition is substantially free of bacterial proteins;     -   (g) the composition is free of mammalian proteins other than         said mature human type I elastase;     -   (h) the composition is substantially free of mammalian proteins         other than said mature human type I elastase.

283. A pharmaceutical composition comprising (i) a therapeutically effective amount of mature human type I elastase and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which pharmaceutical composition is characterized by at least one of the following properties:

-   -   (a) the composition is free of trypsin;     -   (b) the composition is substantially free of trypsin;     -   (c) the composition is free of any protein consisting of SEQ ID         NOS:70 and 71;     -   (d) the composition is substantially free of any protein         consisting of SEQ ID NOS:2 and 3;     -   (e) the composition is free of bacterial proteins;     -   (f) the composition is substantially free of bacterial proteins;     -   (g) the composition is free of mammalian proteins other than         said mature human type I elastase;     -   (h) the composition is substantially free of mammalian proteins         other than said mature human type I elastase.

284. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 282 or embodiment 283 which is characterized by at least two of the properties (a) to (h).

285. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 284, wherein said at least two properties include (a) and (c).

286. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 284, wherein said at least two properties include (b) and (d).

287. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 282 or embodiment 283 which is characterized by at least three of the properties (a) to (h).

288. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 284, wherein said at least three properties include (a), (c) and (e).

289. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 284, wherein said at least three properties include (b), (d), and (f).

290. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 282 or embodiment 283 which is characterized by at least four of the properties (a) to (h).

291. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 284, wherein said at least four properties include (a), (c), (e) and (g).

292. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 284, wherein said at least four properties include (b), (d), (f), and (h).

293. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 282 or embodiment 283 which is characterized by at least five of the properties (a) to (h).

294. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 282 or embodiment 283 which is characterized by at least six of the properties (a) to (h).

295. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 282 or embodiment 283 which is characterized by at least seven of the properties (a) to (h).

296. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 282 or embodiment 283 which is characterized by all properties (a) to (h).

297. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 296 which is free or substantially free of one, two, three or all four proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:85, 86, 94 and 95.

298. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 297 which is free or substantially free of proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:85 and SEQ ID NO:86.

299. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 297 which is free or substantially free of proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:94 and SEQ ID NO:95.

300. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 297 which is free or substantially free of one, two, or all three proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:106, 107 and 108.

301. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 300 which contains pharmaceutically acceptable levels of endotoxins.

302. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 301, wherein said pharmaceutical composition is a liquid composition and wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable levels of endotoxins are 8 EU/ml or less.

303. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 302, wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable levels of endotoxins are 5 EU/ml or less.

304. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 301, wherein said pharmaceutical composition is a solid composition and wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable levels of endotoxins are 10 EU or less per gram of mature human type I elastase.

305. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 304 wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable levels of endotoxins are 5 EU or less per gram of mature human type I elastase.

306. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 305 in which the mature human type I elastase is characterized by a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg of protein.

307. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 306 in which the mature human type I elastase is characterized by a specific activity of 25 to 35 U/mg of protein.

308. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 306 in which the mature human type I elastase is characterized by a specific activity of greater than 10 U/mg of protein.

309. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 306 in which the mature human type I elastase is characterized by a specific activity of greater than 20 U/mg of protein.

310. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 309, wherein the mature human type I elastase consists essentially of SEQ ID NO: 5, 84, or 87.

311. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 310, wherein the mature human type I elastase consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:4.

312. The pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 282 to 311 in which the trypsin activity corresponds to less than 4 ng per 1 mg of mature human type I elastase protein.

313. The pharmaceutical composition of embodiment 312 in which the trypsin activity corresponds to less than 2 ng per 1 mg of mature human type I elastase protein.

314. A lyophilized formulation of a protein consisting essentially of SEQ ID NO: 5, 84, or 87 which upon reconstitution to a concentration of said protein of 1 mg/ml the trypsin activity corresponds to less than 2 ng/ml trypsin.

315. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 314, wherein the moisture content is less than 5%.

316. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 315 which comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, and chloride ions.

317. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 315 which comprises polysorbate-80.

318. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 315 which comprises dextran.

319. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 318, wherein the dextran is dextran-18.

320. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 311 which comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions and polysorbate-80.

321. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 314 which comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions and dextran.

322. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 321, wherein the dextran is dextran-18.

323. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 314 which comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions, polysorbate-80, and dextran.

324. The lyophilized formulation of embodiment 323, wherein the dextran is dextran-18.

325. A liquid formulation comprising a solution of a least 0.1 mg/ml of a protein consisting essentially of SEQ ID NO: 5, 84, or 87 in which the trypsin activity corresponds to less than 2 ng/ml trypsin.

326. The liquid formulation of embodiment 325, wherein the solution is a buffered solution.

327. The liquid formulation of embodiment 326, wherein the solution is buffered to a pH of 7 to 8.

328. The liquid formulation of embodiment 326 in which the solution is PBS.

329. The liquid formulation of embodiment 328 in which the solution comprises 137 mM sodium chloride, 2.7 mM potassium phosphate, and 10 mM sodium phosphate.

330. The liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 329 which further comprises one or more excipients.

331. The liquid formulation of embodiment 330 in which said one or more excipients comprises dextran-18.

332. The liquid formulation of embodiment 331 in which the dextran-18 is in the amount of 8% weight/volume of said solution.

333. The liquid formulation of embodiment 330 in which said one or more excipients comprises polysorbate-80.

334. The liquid formulation of embodiment 333 in which the polysorbate-80 is in the amount of 0.01% weight/volume of said solution.

335. The liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 334 in which the concentration of said protein in said solution is in the range of 0.001 mg/ml to 40 mg/ml.

336. The liquid formulation of embodiment 335 in which the concentration of said protein in said solution is in the range of 0.1 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml.

337. The liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 336 with further comprises one or more of a preservative, a solubilizer and a coloring agent.

338. The liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 337 which is substantially free of mammalian proteins other than said protein of SEQ ID NO:5, 84 or 87.

339. The liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 338 which is substantially free of bacterial proteins.

340. A formulation made by or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 225 to 258.

341. The formulation of embodiment 340 which is a liquid formulation.

342. The formulation of embodiment 340 or 341 in which the mature type I elastase protein is a human type I mature elastase protein.

343. The formulation of embodiment 342, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:84, or SEQ ID NO:87.

344. The formulation of embodiment 342, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:4.

345. The formulation of embodiment 340 or 341 in which the mature type I elastase protein is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

346. The formulation of embodiment 345, wherein the mature porcine type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:39.

347. A method of removing one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins from a mixture of correctly and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins, said method comprising:

-   -   (a) subjecting a composition comprising a mixture of correctly         and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins to a pH at         which the correctly processed mature enzyme is active;     -   (b) maintaining such pH until such time that one or more         incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded,         thereby removing said one or more incorrectly processed mature         elastase proteins from a mixture of correctly and incorrectly         processed mature elastase proteins.

348. The method of embodiment 347, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins contain at least one additional or fewer amino acid at the N-terminus relative to correctly processed mature elastase proteins.

349. The method of embodiment 347 or 348 wherein said pH is between 5 and 12.

350. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 349, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded by 50% to 100%.

351. The method of embodiment 348, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded by 50% to 99%.

352. The method of embodiment 348, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded by 50% to 98%.

353. The method of embodiment 348, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded by 50% to 95%.

354. The method of embodiment 348, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded by 50% to 90%.

355. The method of any one of embodiments 350 to 354, wherein more than one incorrectly processed mature elastase protein is degraded by at least 50%.

356. The method of embodiment 355, wherein all incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins in the mixture are degraded by at least 50%.

357. The method of any one of embodiments 350 to 354 wherein at least one incorrectly processed mature elastase protein is degraded by at least 75%.

358. The method of embodiment 357, wherein more than one incorrectly processed mature elastase protein is degraded by at least 75%.

359. The method of embodiment 357, wherein all incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins in the mixture are degraded by at least 75%.

360. The method of any one of embodiments 350 to 354 wherein at least one incorrectly processed mature elastase protein is degraded by at least 90%.

361. The method of embodiment 360, wherein more than one incorrectly processed mature elastase protein is degraded by at least 90%.

362. The method of embodiment 360, wherein all incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins in the mixture are degraded by at least 90%.

363. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 362, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of 10 mg/ml or less.

364. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 362, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of 5 mg/ml or less.

365. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 362, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of 2 mg/ml or less.

366. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 362, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of 1 mg/ml or less.

367. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 362, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml or less.

368. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 362, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of 0.25 mg/ml or less.

369. The method of any one of embodiments 363 to 368, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of at least 0.1 mg/ml.

370. The method of any one of embodiments 363 to 368, wherein the composition is a liquid composition in which the total elastase protein is at a concentration of at least 0.2 mg/ml.

371. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 370, wherein the trypsin activity in said composition is less than 4 ng/ml trypsin per mg of total elastase proteins.

372. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 370, wherein the trypsin activity in said composition is less than 2 ng/ml trypsin per mg of total elastase proteins.

373. The method of any one of embodiments 347 to 372, wherein the composition is free or substantially free of a protein consisting of SEQ ID NO:104 and/or is free or substantially free of a protein consisting of SEQ ID NO:105.

374. A method of producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature type I elastase, said method comprising (i) producing a lyophilized mature type I elastase by the method of any one of embodiments 261 to 265; and (ii) reconstituting the lyophilized mature type I elastase in water or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature human type I elastase.

375. A method of producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature type I elastase, said method comprising reconstituting the lyophilized formulation of any one of embodiments 314 to 324 in water or a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, thereby producing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature type I elastase.

376. A method of embodiment 374 or embodiment 375 where the pharmaceutical composition comprises phosphate.

377. The method of any one of embodiments 374 to 376, wherein the mature type I elastase is mature human type I elastase.

378. The method of embodiment 377 characterized by a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg protein.

379. The method of embodiment 377 wherein the mature type I elastase is characterized by a specific activity of 25 to 35 U/mg protein.

380. The method of any one of embodiments 377 to 379, wherein the mature human type I elastase in said pharmaceutical composition maintains 60% to 100% of its specific activity after at least a week of storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C., after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six months of storage at 4° C.

381. The method of any one of embodiments 377 to 379, wherein the mature human type I elastase in said pharmaceutical composition maintains 60% to 98% of its specific activity after at least a week of storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C., after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six months of storage at 4° C.

382. The method of any one of embodiments 377 to 379, wherein the mature human type I elastase in said pharmaceutical composition maintains 60% to 95% of its specific activity after at least a week of storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C., after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six months of storage at 4° C.

383. The method of any one of embodiments 377 to 379, wherein the mature human type I elastase in said pharmaceutical composition maintains 60% to 90% of its specific activity after at least a week of storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C., after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six months of storage at 4° C.

384. The method of any one of embodiments 377 to 379, wherein the mature human type I elastase in said pharmaceutical composition maintains 60% to 80% of its specific activity after at least a week of storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C., after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six months of storage at 4° C.

385. The method of any one of embodiments 377 to 384, wherein the mature human type I elastase in said pharmaceutical composition maintains at least 70% of its specific activity after a week of storage at 4° C.

386. A pharmaceutical composition produced by or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments to 374 to 385.

387. A method for therapeutically increasing the diameter of an artery or vein in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject (a) the pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 277 to 313 and 386, (b) the liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 339, or (c) the formulation of embodiment 341 in a dose sufficient to increase the diameter of the artery or vein.

388. The method of embodiment 387, wherein the diameter of the vessel, the lumenal diameter of the vessel, or both, are increased.

389. A method for preventing or treating vasospasm of an artery or vein in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject (a) the pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 277 to 313 and 386, (b) the liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 339, or (c) the formulation of embodiment 341 in a dose sufficient to prevent or treat vasospasm of the artery or vein.

390. A method for treating an obstructed artery or vein in a human subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject (a) the pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 277 to 313 and 386, (b) the liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 339, or (c) the formulation of embodiment 341, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the artery or vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the artery or vein.

391. A method for treating an artery or vein connected to an arteriovenous hemodialysis graft or arteriovenous fistula in a human subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject ((a) the pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 277 to 313 and 386, (b) the liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 339, or (c) the formulation of embodiment 341, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the artery or vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the artery or vein.

392. A method for treating a vein in a human subject for use in hemodialysis, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the vein in the human subject (a) the pharmaceutical composition of any one of embodiments 277 to 313 and 386, (b) the liquid formulation of any one of embodiments 325 to 339, or (c) the formulation of embodiment 341, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the vein.

393. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 392, which further comprises inserting a portion of a delivery apparatus into the wall of the artery or vein to deliver elastase to the wall of the artery or vein.

394. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 393, wherein the pharmaceutical composition or liquid formulation is administered by a catheter.

395. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 394, wherein the wherein the pharmaceutical composition or liquid formulation is administered directly into the wall of the artery or vein.

396. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 395, wherein the artery or vein is obstructed.

397. The method of embodiment 396, wherein the artery or vein is obstructed by stenosis.

398. The method of embodiment 397, wherein the obstruction permits passage of an insufficient volume of blood prior to the treatment.

399. The method of embodiment 398, wherein the obstruction is a stenosis.

400. The method of embodiment 399, wherein the artery or vein is obstructed by intimal hyperplasia.

401. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 400, wherein the pharmaceutical composition or liquid formulation is administered to an obstructed coronary or peripheral artery.

402. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 395, wherein the artery or vein is susceptible to obstruction by intimal hyperplasia.

403. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 400 and 402, wherein the composition is administered to the wall of a vein.

404. The method of embodiment 403, wherein the vein is connected to an arteriovenous hemodialysis graft or arteriovenous fistula.

405. The method of embodiment 404, wherein the vein is for use in hemodialysis.

406. The method of embodiment 405, further comprising directly connecting the vein to an artery or connecting the vein to an artery via a graft.

407. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 394, wherein the composition is administered to the adventitial surface of a surgically exposed artery or vein.

408. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 407, wherein the mature type I elastase protein in said pharmaceutical composition, liquid formulation or formulation, respectively, is a human type I mature elastase protein.

409. The method of embodiment 408, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:84, or SEQ ID NO:87.

410. The method of embodiment 408, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:4.

411. The method of any one of embodiments 387 to 407, wherein the mature type I elastase protein in said pharmaceutical composition, liquid formulation or formulation, respectively, is a porcine type I mature elastase protein.

412. The method of embodiment 411, wherein the mature porcine type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:39.

413. A unit dosage comprising 0.0033 mg to 200 mg of (a) mature human type I elastase of embodiment 273 or embodiment 274 or (b) a formulation of mature human type I elastase produced by or obtainable by the method of embodiment 259.

414. The unit dosage of embodiment 413, wherein the mature human type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:84, or SEQ ID NO:87.

415. A unit dosage comprising 0.0033 mg to 200 mg of (a) the mature porcine type I elastase of embodiment 275 or embodiment 276 or (b) a formulation of mature porcine type I elastase produced by or obtainable by the method of embodiment 260.

416. The unit dosage of embodiment 415, wherein the mature porcine type I elastase protein consists essentially of SEQ ID NO:39.

417. The unit dosage of any one of embodiments 413 to 416 which comprises 0.5 mg to 50 mg of said mature type I elastase.

418. The unit dosage of embodiment 417 which comprises 1 mg to 20 mg of said mature type I elastase.

419. The unit dosage of embodiment 418 which comprises 5 mg to 10 mg of said mature type I elastase.

420. The unit dosage of any one of embodiments 413 to 419 which is in a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter.

421. A kit comprising an elastase protein according to any one of embodiments 1 to 39 and 68 to 69 or obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 89 to 224, 261 to 276, and 347 to 373, a nucleic acid according to any one of embodiments 40 to 67, a vector according to any one of embodiments 70 to 72, a cell according to any one of embodiments 73 to 87, a cell culture supernatant according to embodiment 88, an elastase formulation according to any one of embodiments 314 to 346 or obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 261 to 276, a pharmaceutical composition according to the method of any one of embodiments 277 to 313 and 386, or obtained or obtainable by the method of any one of embodiments 374 to 385, or a unit dosage according to any one of embodiments 415 to 420.

422. The kit of embodiment 421 which is a therapeutic kit.

423. The kit of embodiment 422 which comprises a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter.

424. The kit of embodiment 423 which is a manufacturing kit.

The invention is further exemplified by the following Specific Embodiments that pertain to proelastase proteins of SEQ ID NO:64 and SEQ ID NO:69:

1. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69.

2. The protein of Specific Embodiment 1 which is isolated.

3. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of Specific Embodiment 1.

4. The nucleic acid molecule of Specific Embodiment 3 wherein the protein comprises a signal sequence operably linked to said amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69.

5. The nucleic acid molecule of Specific Embodiment 4, wherein the signal sequence is operable in Pichia pastoris.

6. The nucleic acid molecule of Specific Embodiment 5, wherein the signal sequence is a yeast α-factor signal peptide.

7. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of Specific Embodiment 4.

8. The vector of Specific Embodiment 7 in which the nucleotide sequence is multimerized.

9. A host cell comprising the vector of Specific Embodiment 7.

10. The host cell of Specific Embodiment 9 in which at least one copy of said vector is integrated into the host cell genome.

11. The host cell of Specific Embodiment 10 in which two to five copies of said vector are integrated into the host cell genome.

12. The host cell of Specific Embodiment 9 in which the nucleotide sequence is multimerized.

13. The host cell of Specific Embodiment 12 in which the vector comprises two to five copies of said nucleotide sequence.

14. A cell genetically engineered to express the nucleic acid molecule of Specific Embodiment 3.

15. The cell of Specific Embodiment 14, which is a Pichia pastoris cell.

16. The cell of Specific Embodiment 15, wherein the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a methanol-inducible promoter.

17. A cell culture supernatant comprising the protein of Specific Embodiment 1.

18. A method of producing an elastase protein, comprising culturing the cell of Specific Embodiment 15 under conditions in which the protein of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69 is expressed.

19. The method of Specific Embodiment 18, wherein said conditions include one, two, three or all four of: (i) a period of growth or induction at a pH of 2 to 6; (ii) a period of growth or induction at a temperature of 22° C. to 28° C.; (iii) culturing in complex medium; or (iv) culturing in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.

20. The method of Specific Embodiment 18 which further comprises recovering the protein.

21. The method of Specific Embodiment 18, which further comprises exposing said protein of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69 to activation conditions to produce a mature elastase protein.

22. The method of Specific Embodiment 21, wherein said protein is purified prior to said exposure to activating conditions.

23. The method of Specific Embodiment 22, wherein said protein is purified in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.

24. The method of Specific Embodiment 21, further comprising purifying the mature elastase protein.

25. The method of Specific Embodiment 24, further comprising lyophilizing the purified mature elastase protein.

26. A method of making a mature elastase protein, comprising subjecting a cell culture supernatant according to Specific Embodiment 17 to autoactivation conditions, thereby producing a mature elastase protein.

27. The method of Specific Embodiment 26, further comprising purifying the mature elastase protein.

28. The method of Specific Embodiment 27, further comprising lyophilizing the purified mature elastase protein.

29. A method of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature elastase protein, reconstituting a lyophilisate comprising the lyophilized proelastase protein produced by the method of Specific Embodiment 25 or Specific Embodiment 28.

30. The method of Specific Embodiment 29, wherein the lyophilisate (a) comprises one or more buffer ingredients or (b) does not comprise buffer ingredients.

31. The method of Specific Embodiment 30, wherein the lyophilisate is reconstituted with water or buffer.

32. The method of Specific Embodiment 31, wherein upon reconstitution a solution of mature elastase protein in full strength buffer, greater than full strength buffer, or less than full strength buffer is produced.

33. The method of Specific Embodiment 32, wherein the buffer is phosphate buffered saline.

34. The method of Specific Embodiment 29, wherein the mature elastase protein is reconstituted to a concentration of 0.001 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml.

35. The method of Specific Embodiment 29, wherein the mature elastase protein has a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg protein.

36. A pharmaceutical composition produced by the method of Specific Embodiment 29.

37. The pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiment 36 which is characterized by at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or at least seven of the following properties:

-   -   (a) the composition is free of trypsin;     -   (b) the composition is substantially free of trypsin;     -   (c) the composition is free of any protein consisting of SEQ ID         NOS:70 and 71;     -   (d) the composition is substantially free of any protein         consisting of SEQ ID NOS:2 and 3;     -   (e) the composition is free of bacterial proteins;     -   (f) the composition is substantially free of bacterial proteins;     -   (g) the composition is free of mammalian proteins other than         said mature elastase protein;     -   (h) the composition is substantially free of mammalian proteins         other than said mature elastase protein;     -   (i) the composition is free or substantially free of one, two,         three or all four proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:85, 86, 94         and 95;     -   (j) the composition is free or substantially free of one, two,         or all three proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:106, 107 and 108;     -   (k) the composition contains pharmaceutically acceptable levels         of endotoxins;     -   (l) the mature elastase protein in the composition is         characterized by a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg of protein;     -   (m) the trypsin activity in said composition corresponds to less         than 4 ng per 1 mg of mature elastase protein;     -   (n) the composition comprises polysorbate-80;     -   (o) the composition comprises dextran;     -   (p) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions,         phosphate ions, chloride ions and polysorbate-80;     -   (q) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions,         phosphate ions, chloride ions and dextran;     -   (r) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions,         phosphate ions, chloride ions, polysorbate-80, and dextran;     -   (s) the mature elastase protein in said composition maintains         60% to 100% of its specific activity after at least a week of         storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C.,         after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least         three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six         months of storage at 4° C.; and     -   (t) the composition comprises a unit dosage of 0.0033 mg to 200         mg of said mature elastase protein.

38. The pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiment 37, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is characterized by at least three characteristics, at least four characteristics or five characteristics independently selected from the following groups (i) through (v):

-   -   (i) (a), (b) or (m)     -   (ii) (e) or (f)     -   (iii) (g) or (h)     -   (iv) (k)     -   (v) (l)

39. The pharmaceutical composition of 38, wherein two of said at least three or at least said four characteristics are selected from groups (i) and (iv) or (v).

40. The pharmaceutical composition of 38, wherein three of at least said four characteristics are selected from groups (i), (iv) and (v).

41. A method of removing one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins from a mixture of correctly and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins, said method comprising:

-   -   (a) subjecting a composition comprising a mixture of correctly         and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins to a pH at         which the correctly processed mature enzyme is active;     -   (b) maintaining such pH until such time that one or more         incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded,

thereby removing said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins from a mixture of correctly and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins.

42. The method of Specific Embodiment 41, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins contain at least one additional or fewer amino acid at the N-terminus relative to correctly processed mature elastase proteins.

43. The method of Specific Embodiment 41 wherein said pH is between 5 and 12.

44. The method of any one of Specific Embodiments 41, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded by 50% to 100%.

45. A method for therapeutically increasing the diameter of an artery or vein in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiment 36 in a dose sufficient to increase the diameter of the artery or vein.

46. The method of Specific Embodiment 45, wherein the diameter of the vessel, the lumenal diameter of the vessel, or both, are increased.

47. A method for preventing or treating vasospasm of an artery or vein in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiment 36 in a dose sufficient to prevent or treat vasospasm of the artery or vein.

48. A method for treating an obstructed artery or vein in a human subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiments 36, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the artery or vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the artery or vein.

49. A method for treating an artery or vein connected to an arteriovenous hemodialysis graft or arteriovenous fistula in a human subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiment 36, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the artery or vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the artery or vein.

50. A method for treating a vein in a human subject for use in hemodialysis, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiment 36, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the vein.

51. The kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition of Specific Embodiment 36.

52. The kit of Specific Embodiment 51 wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter.

The claims of U.S. provisional application No. 60/992,319, filed Dec. 4, 2007 are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, and each embodiment set forth in such claims is incorporated by reference as a specific embodiment herein.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying figures. Such modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Various references, including patent applications, patents, and scientific publications, are cited herein; the disclosure of each such reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

1. A protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69.
 2. The protein of claim 1 which is isolated.
 3. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of claim
 1. 4. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 3 wherein the protein comprises a signal sequence operably linked to said amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69.
 5. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 4, wherein the signal sequence is operable in Pichia pastoris.
 6. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 5, wherein the signal sequence is a yeast α-factor signal peptide.
 7. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 4. 8. The vector of claim 7 in which the nucleotide sequence is multimerized.
 9. A host cell comprising the vector of claim
 7. 10. The host cell of claim 9 in which at least one copy of said vector is integrated into the host cell genome.
 11. The host cell of claim 10 in which two to five copies of said vector are integrated into the host cell genome.
 12. The host cell of claim 9 in which the nucleotide sequence is multimerized.
 13. The host cell of claim 12 in which the vector comprises two to five copies of said nucleotide sequence.
 14. A cell genetically engineered to express the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 3. 15. The cell of claim 14, which is a Pichia pastoris cell.
 16. The cell of claim 15, wherein the nucleotide sequence is operably linked to a methanol-inducible promoter.
 17. A cell culture supernatant comprising the protein of claim
 1. 18. A method of producing an elastase protein, comprising culturing the cell of claim 15 under conditions in which the protein of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69 is expressed.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said conditions include one, two, three or all four of: (i) a period of growth or induction at a pH of 2 to 6; (ii) a period of growth or induction at a temperature of 22° C. to 28° C.; (iii) culturing in complex medium; or (iv) culturing in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.
 20. The method of claim 18 which further comprises recovering the protein.
 21. The method of claim 18, which further comprises exposing said protein of SEQ ID NO:64 or SEQ ID NO:69 to activation conditions to produce a mature elastase protein.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said protein is purified prior to said exposure to activating conditions.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said protein is purified in the presence of a citrate, succinate or acetate compound.
 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising purifying the mature elastase protein.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising lyophilizing the purified mature elastase protein.
 26. A method of making a mature elastase protein, comprising subjecting a cell culture supernatant according to claim 17 to autoactivation conditions, thereby producing a mature elastase protein.
 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising purifying the mature elastase protein.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising lyophilizing the purified mature elastase protein.
 29. A method of making a pharmaceutical composition comprising a mature elastase protein, reconstituting a lyophilisate comprising the lyophilized proelastase protein produced by the method of claim 25 or claim
 28. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the lyophilisate (a) comprises one or more buffer ingredients or (b) does not comprise buffer ingredients.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the lyophilisate is reconstituted with water or buffer.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein upon reconstitution a solution of mature elastase protein in full strength buffer, greater than full strength buffer, or less than full strength buffer is produced.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the buffer is phosphate buffered saline.
 34. The method of claim 29, wherein the mature elastase protein is reconstituted to a concentration of 0.001 mg/ml to 50 mg/ml.
 35. The method of claim 29, wherein the mature elastase protein has a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg protein.
 36. A pharmaceutical composition produced by the method of claim
 29. 37. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 36 which is characterized by at least one, at least two, at least three, at least four, at least five, at least six or at least seven of the following properties: (a) the composition is free of trypsin; (b) the composition is substantially free of trypsin; (c) the composition is free of any protein consisting of SEQ ID NOS:70 and 71; (d) the composition is substantially free of any protein consisting of SEQ ID NOS:2 and 3; (e) the composition is free of bacterial proteins; (f) the composition is substantially free of bacterial proteins; (g) the composition is free of mammalian proteins other than said mature elastase protein; (h) the composition is substantially free of mammalian proteins other than said mature elastase protein; (i) the composition is free or substantially free of one, two, three or all four proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:85, 86, 94 and 95; (j) the composition is free or substantially free of one, two, or all three proteins consisting of SEQ ID NO:106, 107 and 108; (k) the composition contains pharmaceutically acceptable levels of endotoxins; (l) the mature elastase protein in the composition is characterized by a specific activity of 1 to 40 U/mg of protein; (m) the trypsin activity in said composition corresponds to less than 4 ng per 1 mg of mature elastase protein; (n) the composition comprises polysorbate-80; (o) the composition comprises dextran; (p) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions and polysorbate-80; (q) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions and dextran; (r) the composition comprises sodium ions, potassium ions, phosphate ions, chloride ions, polysorbate-80, and dextran; (s) the mature elastase protein in said composition maintains 60% to 100% of its specific activity after at least a week of storage at 4° C., after at least a month of storage at 4° C., after at least two months of storage at 4° C., after at least three months of storage at 4° C., or after at least month six months of storage at 4° C.; and (t) the composition comprises a unit dosage of 0.0033 mg to 200 mg of said mature elastase protein.
 38. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 37, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is characterized by at least three characteristics, at least four characteristics or five characteristics independently selected from the following groups (i) through (v): (i) (a), (b) or (m) (ii) (e) or (f) (iii) (g) or (h) (iv) (k) (v) (l)
 39. The pharmaceutical composition of 38, wherein two of said at least three or at least said four characteristics are selected from groups (i) and (iv) or (v).
 40. The pharmaceutical composition of 38, wherein three of at least said four characteristics are selected from groups (i), (iv) and (v).
 41. A method of removing one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins from a mixture of correctly and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins, said method comprising: (a) subjecting a composition comprising a mixture of correctly and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins to a pH at which the correctly processed mature enzyme is active; (b) maintaining such pH until such time that one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded, thereby removing said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins from a mixture of correctly and incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins.
 42. The method of claim 41, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins contain at least one additional or fewer amino acid at the N-terminus relative to correctly processed mature elastase proteins.
 43. The method of claim 41 wherein said pH is between 5 and
 12. 44. The method of any one of claims 41, wherein said one or more incorrectly processed mature elastase proteins are degraded by 50% to 100%.
 45. A method for therapeutically increasing the diameter of an artery or vein in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim 36 in a dose sufficient to increase the diameter of the artery or vein.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the diameter of the vessel, the lumenal diameter of the vessel, or both, are increased.
 47. A method for preventing or treating vasospasm of an artery or vein in a human subject in need thereof, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim 36 in a dose sufficient to prevent or treat vasospasm of the artery or vein.
 48. A method for treating an obstructed artery or vein in a human subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of claims 36, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the artery or vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the artery or vein.
 49. A method for treating an artery or vein connected to an arteriovenous hemodialysis graft or arteriovenous fistula in a human subject in need of such treatment, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the artery or vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim 36, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the artery or vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the artery or vein.
 50. A method for treating a vein in a human subject for use in hemodialysis, the method comprising: locally administering to the wall of the vein in the human subject the pharmaceutical composition of claim 36, wherein said administration results in proteolysis of elastin in the wall of the vein leading to enlargement of the diameter of the vein.
 51. The kit comprising the pharmaceutical composition of claim
 36. 52. The kit of claim 51 wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in a container, pack, dispenser, or catheter. 